The historic heresies don't die or fade away. Every generation boasts its own versions. Even while heresies remain outside the accepted teaching of Christianity, modern-day versions of, for example, Gnosticism and Pelagianism plague most churches. Even Origen's ideas about universal salvation, at least as presented by popular pastors like Rob Bell, sell millions of books. So how does a pastor understand and deal with these age-old controversies when they appear in the congregation? How do pastors address and introduce these faith issues as they educate the congregation about Jesus, God, and salvation? In this book, Roger Olson takes readers through the curses but also the gifts that heresies bring the Church, for heresies can serve to challenge Christians of all ages to think about their faith and know why they believe. Heresies can also occasionally correct a distorted version of orthodoxy. Yet historically, they are not simple confusions or misunderstandings about impenetrable mysteries of divine revelation, instead they undermine the faith and are dangerous distortions. This book describes major church heresies, the players, how the church dealt with heresies in the past, and how they continue to live and affect churches today.