Heresy in the Roman Catholic Church

Book excerpt: In the 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church, heretical movements have repeatedly challenged the central doctrinal authority of the pope. This historical overview explains the construction and beliefs of the organized movements, both large and small, and documents the individuals and their efforts in challenging papal infallibility, singular doctrine, and the Inquisition. It examines how, in spite of Church efforts at maintaining singular control, heretics have continued to emerge from ancient times into modern times. This book places heretical movements in their proper context, examining how the evolution of cultural and social changes in the Christian world affected how the Church was able to enforce its claimed authority.