is practically an insult, meaning one who delights in falsifying doctrine and leading people astray. But the truth is much more complex than either of these views. Not one of the heretics whose opinions we will study in this book was burned or killed in any other way for his teachings. At worst, some were deposed from positions of importance in the church, and a number were forced to abandon the areas where they had the most followers and influence. Nor were these heretics unbelievers or people seeking