On Sectarianism

By Norman H. Crowhurst

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     This subject causes considerable controversy in Christendom. Recently I talked with a Baptist minister who explained sectarianism by saying that he believed God likes variety. But the Bible (1 Cor. 3:1-9) plainly shows that sectarianism is a sign of thinking as materialistic men, and not according to the Spirit of God.

     Others believe that the answer to the destructiveness of sectarianism, is interfaith which is based on the concept that "all roads lead to heaven," so let's make a bigger road map. But the Bible plainly says that the gate is narrow and the way strait (Matt. 7:13, 14) and few there be that find it. It also says that Christ is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

     So should we not reject sectarianism as an abomination in the Lord's sight? Does the Bible say that? Is sectarianism anywhere called a sin? It is something to avoid, but is sectarianism anywhere defined as sin? As division, not the individual factions, is what Paul writes against, one faction cannot be right and the other(s) wrong. Each party to the division must share the blame.

     We are admonished to be of one mind--the mind of Christ. But how do we do that? By rejecting all of those who do not have what we decide to be the mind of Christ?

     When explaining sectarianism, Paul said that individual groups were saying they were of Paul, of Apollos, of Cephas. Oh yes, he mentioned one more--of Christ. But that one could not be sectarian, could it? Are we not commanded to use the name "Church of Christ"? Where, in the Bible, is that command?

     The Bible uses the expression "church of God" as a description of the Christian entity elsewhere called the body, or bride of Christ, But is the name "Church of God," or "Bride of Christ", thereby authorized?

     The Pharisees claimed to accept God as their father (John 8:41) and proclaimed that they were not born of fornication. What did Jesus answer? Similarly, it is not in calling ourselves Christians, followers of Christ, Church of Christ, or by any other name, that God will accept us, but in living as such.

     Part of such living is described by Paul in writing to the Romans (15:7), "Therefore (to become of one mind), receive ye one another, as Christ also received you, to the glory of God." That is quite different from rejecting those that differ over some man-made quibble. Which are we doing?

     Every sect that professes full Bible acceptance puts forward an argument for regular church attendance based on Hebrews 10:25. They assert that this text refers to worship services. But does it? What was the "manner of some" referred to? And what was the stated purpose of assembling together?

     The letter to the Corinthians shows that sectarianism was already forming, although Christians in a community still met together all in one place, apparently. That some dissented, to the point of not meeting with the rest, would seem to be the implication in the words "manner of some." So the writer to the Hebrews stressed meeting together to provoke to love and good works and to exhort one another.

     Sectarianism with separation heightens enmity. After separate meeting places have been established, resumption of meeting together becomes almost, but not quite, impossible. No provoking to love and good works or mutual exhortation seems possible across such a barrier.

     So the problem today is a little more difficult than it was when the letter to the Hebrews was written. "So," you may say, "there is nothing I can do about it. It is not my fault they are all separated and the best I can do is to go on meeting

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with the people with whom I am already meeting."

     Does merely sitting and listening to the admonition of a minister who preaches to his congregation fulfill Hebrews 10:25? It certainly does not fulfill Romans 15:7, by any stretch of the imagination, does it?

     Recently, by invitation, I conducted a study with the adult group at the local Lutheran Church for several weeks. What surprised me was the warm welcome I received as a brother in Christ, although I was never a Lutheran and never will be. They professed readiness, in fact, stated it as a principle of the Lutheran Church, to accept the Bible and the Bible only as the basis for their belief.

     I know! Calling themselves Lutherans is inconsistent with that claim. Yet their reception of me was freer from the sectarian spirit than that of many who insist upon rejecting sectarianism as a sin. That apparent contradiction gave me food for thought.

     The discussions there were stimulating and I am sure helped both them and myself to approach more closely to the one mind, the mind of Christ. We were not concerned with the rightness or wrongness of parties. Together we were prepared to "let God be true, though every man a liar" (Romans 3:3, 4). The meetings proved to be, without contrivance on the part of anyone, a "provoking to love and to good works." The unity of the Spirit was being motivated.

     That is but the beginning. Word is passing around our town. More such invitations are already germinating. The spirit is alive and moving, and prayers of brothers who truly acknowledge spiritual oneness of the body are with us. Do not obstruct the Spirit by thinking this kind of thing cannot be done in your town. Trust His word. Let Him be the judge of what can be done. With Him all things are possible. Are we ready to follow His leading? Rather, let us not close our minds to opportunities like these. "Receive ye one another."

     Editor's Note: The writer of the above was an ardent worker with the Jehovah's Witnesses, both here and in Great Britain, but now seeks to be simply a Christian without partisan alliance. He lives at Gold Beach, Oregon 97444, where he may be addressed at Post Office Box 651.