Why We Believe in Heresy by Thomas C. Oden, Professor of theology and Ethics at Drew University.  He is the author of numerous books.  This article is reprinted by permission from Christianity Today, March 4, 1996.  Oden writes, "God allows heresies to challenge the church in order to bring us to a fuller understanding of the truth."  He concludes, "Some think that specifying boundaries at all will be tainted by hubris and splattered with blood.  The apostolic Faith has learned under the guidance of the Spirit that when the boundaries are accurately stated. conflict and hubris are tamed and purified."  Mar/Apr 1996 Theology Matters p. 15