Heresy of the Week: Montanism

This week's heresy shows that holy rollers aren't a recent phenomenon...

Montanism (also known as Cataphrygianism and Phrygianism) was a 2nd century heresy that ultimately was the precursor of the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements. Montanism survived in limited pockets until the 8th century. It was a prophetic movement that relied on the spontaneity of the Holy Ghost and a more conservative personal moral. They called themselves “spiritales” (meaning “spiritual people”), while their opponents called them “psychici” (meaning “carnal, natural people”). They believed that they received modern prophesies through ecstatic, frenzied behavior and speaking in tongues. Often their “prophesies” contradicted the Bible and orthodox Christian doctrine. They believed many of their prophesies cleared up “ambiguities” in Scripture and believed their new prophesies superseded Scripture. Montanists believed that if a believer “fell from grace”, they were permanently lost and could not ever be brought to repentance. Some Montanists were Quartodecimanism believers. They recognized female bishops and ministers. They were strict followers of Asceticism.