My emphasis is the article is that a readiness to accommodate diversity in a positive manner seems to have been one of the key characteristics of that cluster of forms of early Christianity that comprise what has been referred to as “proto-orthodox” Christianity. The original connotation of “heresy” in early Christian usage was a sectarian outlook, a narrow religious “party”. I give some examples of the diversity that we see represented directly in the New Testament, which is a collective statement affirming a critical diversity. Early Christianity at its best was more of a jazz combo, with creativity and room for variations, rather than a tightly orchestrated symphony with each part written out in detail and conforming to a closely-directed performance.

A really great article by Larry Hurtado that, in my opinion, is spot on.