Is it heretical to attack and divide churches because of KJV-only?

Heresy and false teaching are defined as ideas that contradict orthodox Christian understanding of God[1], while error represents a lower category involving disagreement among Christians who both hold to orthodox understandings of God[1]. The distinction hinges on what’s at stake theologically.

Heresy involves intentional false teaching—a deliberate choice to deviate from revealed truth in favor of personal insights, or an intentional preference to deny core Christian doctrines even when faced with compelling evidence otherwise[2]. This differs from ignorance or beliefs later proven erroneous; heresy represents closed-mindedness to correction by the Holy Spirit and involves wrong answers to the most important theological questions[2]. Error, by contrast, might involve disagreements like infant baptism versus believer’s baptism—serious enough to cause separation in worship, yet still permitting recognition of the other party as Christian[1].

Regarding KJV-Onlyism specifically from one scholar’s assessment. One author concludes that the KJV-only doctrine is “heretical, destructive, divisive, deceptive, and damaging to the cause of Jesus Christ and His church”[3]. However, this represents a particular scholarly judgment rather than consensus. Other evangelical leaders have characterized the KJV-only issue as one where “good fundamental men and ministries can differ without dividing,” viewing it as a matter where legitimate preferences have been elevated into inflexible absolutes[3].

Whether someone attacking and splitting churches over KJV-Onlyism qualifies as heretical depends on whether their position meets the criteria of intentional denial of core Christian doctrine. If the motivation involves rejecting fundamental truths about Christ or God, it would constitute heresy. If it represents an error—even a serious, divisive one—about Bible translation methodology, it would fall into that category instead. The intentionality and theological substance of the claims matter significantly for this classification.

[1] Mark Nickens, A Survey of the History of Global Christianity (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2020), 18.
[2] Eve Tibbs, A Basic Guide to Eastern Orthodox Theology: Introducing Beliefs and Practices (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2021), 87.
[3] Rod Mattoon, Treasures from Numbers, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2004), 521.