A question for the Skeptics of the forum: could the "heretics" be a colossal invention by the Fathers?

[Giuseppe]

The doubt is raised by the Maurice Mergui's observation, that an apocalyptic signum is usually considered the following event:
not only the 'apostasy' of the usual people (the Jews), but also the surprising diffusion, in colossal proportions, of the 'heresy'.

Hence, are we really sure that when the various Justin, Irenaeus, etc were reporting the 'bad news' about the 'heretics' doing followers, they were prey to despair ?

Or was it a whole staging to conclude: the End is Near (heresy proves it) 'therefore' the Messiah has arrived.

Note the curious fact that Barabbas (symbol par excellence of a rival Jesus -- of the heretics -- in the Gospel tradition) appears shortly before Jesus breaks the Messianic Secret: on the cross.

[mlinssen]

So, if your theory is correct, then the Church Fathers kept up this charade for how long, a few centuries at least?

[Giuseppe]

So, if your theory is correct, then the Church Fathers kept up this charade for how long, a few centuries at least?

Too much time, effectively.

So the idea that rampant heresy "proves" the coming end is a modern apologetical invention.

[StephenGoranson]

Is to invite only “Skeptics” to reply a bit cultist (sort of a religion)?
If you insist so-called “heresies” were exaggerated, what about some Nag Hammadi texts?

[Giuseppe]

Is to invite only “Skeptics” to reply a bit cultist (sort of a religion)?

Probably. I have closed from remote time to consult Christian scholars. They can't even conceive the Mythicist paradigm.