It is a tragic truth that not all people who hear the words of Christ and the teachings of the Church choose to adhere to them. While some Christians abandon these teachings and traditions altogether, a state known as apostasy, there are many who profess to be Christian while denying the essential truths of the faith. 

Objective: In this course, students will learn about heresies and schisms and how they affect the Church. Students will learn about different heresies, why they exist and what the truths are.

You’re joining our global classroom. Thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own unique story, learn at their own pace on Catholic Online School every single day.

Free Resources and tools for students, parents, and teachers. We’re working hard to ensure that Catholic Online School empowers teachers of all kinds to better understand what their children or students are up to and how best to help them.

For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Defending the Faith - Heresy and Schism

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Heresy and Schism - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - Heresy and Schism - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (10/19/21)

    • Heresy and Schism - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Opening Prayer

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Marissa R

5 star rating

“This course was well-written and I enjoyed it a lot. Nice course.”

“This course was well-written and I enjoyed it a lot. Nice course.”

→Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Professor Marshall Connolly has spent his life in service to God and the Church as an educator and writer. He is a graduate of the California State University system and has earned bachelor's degrees in English and History, as well as a teaching credential. He has completed additional studies at Whitman College, and the University of San Diego. His interests include science and apologetics and he writes on both subjects for Catholic Online (catholic.org), the World's Catholic Library.

He serves as the first Director of Education for Catholic Online School.

Professor Marshall Connolly

Director of Education