Hristiyanlıkta Heretik Kavramının Dönüşümü: Erken Dönem ve Reform Bağlamında Bir İnceleme.

This study examines the concepts of "heresy," defined as alternative views that challenge or deviate from the core beliefs and teachings of a religious community, and "heretic," which refers to individuals associated with such views. The historical transformations in the meanings and uses of these concepts are analyzed, focusing particularly on the factors that led to the designation of groups and individuals as heretics from the early centuries of Christianity onward. In this context, the doctrinal disputes of early Christian history (I-IV centuries) and the Catholic Church's approach to defining heresy during the Reformation period from the 16th century are critically assessed. Furthermore, the Protestant movement's practice of labeling other religious groups as heretical in the post-Reformation era has further complicated efforts to establish a precise definition and scope for the term "heretic." The aim of this study is to examine the change in the concept of heretics in Christianity from a Catholic-centred perspective and to discuss the effects of this change in Europe. In the first centuries, heresy included criticisms against the Christian faith determined by the councils, while in the following years, as the Church gained power, any criticism against the Church was equated with heresy. Since the 16th century was the age of reform, the Church declared the reformists heretics this time. Heresy has come to cover all political, social and religious contradictions. However, in this study, not only the Catholic Church's understanding of heresy, but also the perception of heresy after the Reformation will be discussed and the roots of Islamophobia and antisemitism will be analysed. Since the way to understand world history and contemporary issues is to establish the cause and effect connection in the processes mentioned, it has been tried to approach these issues as comprehensively as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]