Apologetics: Calling a Spade a Spade

“The correct theological term for many who label themselves “liberal” or “left-wing” or “progressive” theologians is “heretics.” By definition, a heretic is one who dissents from an essential doctrine (from the Greek haireomai, “to pick out for oneself”). Since most heretics today no longer believe in the very idea of essential doctrines, they do not accept the label” (Peter Kreeft & Ronald Keith Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics, 25).