A reader of these Reflections from Alabama recently wrote to me about a problem he was facing among some of his brethren in the local congregation. There was a difference of opinion with regard to a particular matter and it was suggested that some might be acting with a "sectarian spirit." The reader stated that a few of the members apparently saw no problem with the concept of sectarianism, and one actually issued the challenge: "Prove to me in the Scriptures where it is wrong to be sectarian!"

What is sectarianism? The dictionary defines a "sectarian" as "a person who is blindly and narrow-mindedly devoted to a sect." "Sectarianism" is characterized as "narrow-minded bigotry." Not a positive picture, is it? In short, it is an allegiance, often a militant one, to a narrow perspective. Around these perceptions, and the personalities behind them, an exclusive party is often eventually formed. Those within this faction are considered the "faithful;" those outside are apostates fit only for the fires of hell.

A "sect," by definition, is simply "a subset of the whole" (Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, p. 1178). The Greek word we translate "sect" is hairesis, from which we derive the word "heresy." It comes from a root word meaning "to choose." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states, "hairesis came to mean those who 'chose' to associate with a political party, a philosophical school, or a religious community espousing a particular view" (vol. 3, p. 672). Volume two of the ISBE states that in classical Greek the idea of "choice" or "selection" was a primary meaning, and that it came to signify "groups in a larger society that follow the teachings of particular leaders in distinction from others" (p. 684). Thus, the word conveyed the sense "of a party with distinctive emphases and concerns" (ibid).

Although the term could be used in a neutral sense, simply depicting the reality of diversity of perspectives, it soon came to be used with an almost exclusive pejorative nuance. "Hairesis when used pejoratively denotes a group whose belief or practice differs from what is considered orthodox. This use is found in both Hellenistic Judaism and apostolic Christianity" (ISBE, vol. 3, p. 673). "Within the Church itself the term had from the very first a pejorative nuance" (ISBE, vol. 2, p. 685). "A negative nuance of sects seems to have developed during NT times, becoming even more pronounced in the writings of post-NT Christian apologists" (Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, p. 1178).

Paul speaks disparagingly of such "factions" among the saints in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:19; cf. 1:10-12), and he condemns this "party spirit" as one of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:20, RSV). The apostle Peter attributes the rise of such factions to the work of "false teachers" who out of greed "exploit you with false words" (2 Peter 2:1-3). Gerhard Kittel pointed out that the One Body and factions are completely incompatible with one another. "Ekklesia and hairesis are material opposites. The latter cannot accept the former; the former excludes the latter" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. 1, p. 183). Such factions "are splits in the community caused by personally motivated disputes" (ibid). "Within Christianity hairesis always denotes hostile societies" (ibid).

Among the leaders of the so-called Restoration Movement in America, this same irreconcilable conflict between unity of Spirit and uniformity of separatists was often noted. For example, Barton W. Stone, in an article entitled "Revivals of Religion" in The Christian Messenger (vol. 5, no. 7, July 1831), in which he wrote about the beauty of spiritual renewal and revival among the people of God, and the threat of the spirit of sectarianism against it, made the following observations:

• "I saw saints of every name mingling together, and together offering their sacrifices of prayer and praise in the fire of love to their common Father and Redeemer, and together surrounding the table of their Lord. Here was unity indeed -- not in opinions, but in the Spirit. I saw brotherly kindness, meekness, gentleness, obedience, all the divine graces, growing and abounding among the saints of God. The Bible was read with intense desire to find the Truth. This I call revival. This I call the work of God.

• "Philosophers, dogmatists, and formalists, who were for measuring religion according to their own rule, were generally opposers of this revival. The great obstruction to this revival was the spirit of sectarianism, which like a restless demon, infected and destroyed the glorious work, wherever it came. Never can this spirit and the spirit of Christ amalgamate. As much opposed as darkness and light -- as fire and water -- are they.

• "I saw Christians of all denominations lovingly united in worship, even in the breaking of bread at the Lord's table. In such work I will rejoice. Yet I have my fears that the demon of partyism will check and destroy it. Yet Christianity has prevailed so far as to have enlisted under her banners many who cannot and will not be drawn into the vortex of sectarianism, and who will remain free, and preach reformation to the sects in bondage."

A theologian by the name of Channing deplored the sight of "Christians, forsaking their one Lord, gathering under various standards to gain victory for their sects." What a pathetic picture is presented to the world when feuding factions wage war in the One Family of our Father. When disciples of Christ descend upon one another with destructive intent over differing opinions strongly held, there is indeed a "demon of partyism" at work in the One Body. Left unopposed, it will dismember the precious Body of Christ and leave it so dysfunctional that it will be incapable of fulfilling its mission and purpose. Our fiendish foe knows the most effective way to prevent us from fighting him is to seduce us into battle with one another. Perhaps his most effective tool is this spirit of sectarianism. With it he has won many battles and destroyed many lives. Whenever and wherever this "demon of partyism" rears its ugly head, the conditions of judgmentalism, exclusivism, and isolationism are never far behind.

Sectarians spend more time fighting than fellowshipping; denouncing Christians than declaring Christ; wrangling with siblings than welcoming seekers. Our Lord's harshest rebukes were against the rigid, religious elitists who regarded themselves as superior to all others, thus becoming separatists. A perfect example can be found in His condemnation of such sectarians in Matthew 23. There is no question but what sectarianism is condemned in Scripture. Indeed, it is astonishing that some would actually seemingly suggest otherwise! Our Lord came to UNITE His people into ONE BODY, not sanction its continual fragmentation into warring camps. Those who perpetuate factions are opposed to the very purpose of Jesus Christ, who came to break down the dividing walls between peoples (Ephesians 2). The late G. C. Brewer, my brother in Christ and cousin in the flesh, observed, "The big idea of being 'Christians only' entered the little minds of a later generation and was perverted into 'we are the only Christians'" (Gospel Advocate, March 14, 1929).

Another beloved brother in Christ, W. Carl Ketcherside, penned the following insightful thoughts in his Mission Messenger (March 1958):

• "There is nothing which bothers a sect more than to be around one who refuses to be made a sectarian. No partisan is ever at ease in the presence of one who is unwilling to allow the God of the universe to become a tribal deity or local divinity. A real partisan does not seek for new truths. He does not need to do so. His party has ascended to the highest peak of spiritual attainment. There is nothing beyond to challenge his thinking or stimulate his intellect. There is nothing ahead but stagnation and decay!

• "The members of each party regard that party as the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church of God upon earth. In some cities there are six different 'Churches of Christ' each claiming to be the 'only faithful church.' The members of one hardly dare speak to the members of another. Recently a preacher announced as his sermon topic, Where Would Paul Attend Church In This City? I told him it would not make much difference, because they would soon withdraw from him, wherever he went.

• "The party spirit will keep us out of heaven. All of us have been tinctured with it. It is a passion of the flesh. We should try to overcome it. We need elders today who will cultivate in their flock a breadth of vision, a charitable spirit, a love for fallen humanity, and a sense of the need of reformation."

Since Jesus prayed for (John 17), and even died for (Ephesians 2), the unity and oneness of His body of believers, one can conceive of no greater "heresy" than an arrogant spirit which seeks to divide and dismember that body once again based on attempted imposition of one's personal choices upon others and separation from those who resist such enslavement. When a party spirit began to evidence itself in Corinth, Paul attacked the problem immediately. He dared not procrastinate in the face of such partyism. Sectarianism is a fleshly work (Galatians 5:20) whose continued practice will exclude one from the kingdom.

When one exercises his "right to choose," and chooses to affiliate with a group that is intent upon actively and militantly fostering exclusivism and isolationism due to the promotion of its own particular party preferences, perceptions, practices and precepts, then that person has chosen to embrace heresy. This is a spirit of sectarianism; a demon of partyism. It must be avoided at all cost, and exposed and opposed at every opportunity! Our oneness and effectiveness depends upon it! "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mark 3:24-25, NIV).

From a Reader in California:

Dear Brother, I am very grateful to have found your web site and to receive your Reflections. On a rare occasion, you challenge me ... on every occasion you encourage me and give me something uplifting to think about. I appreciate your work!

From a Reader in Georgia:

I agree that the story of Lazarus & the rich man is a parable. One should not view it as a literal event. Others offer that the parable, in addition to its main lesson, is a prophecy regarding the imminent destruction of the Jewish nation in favor of the Gentiles. The idea is that the Jews had been given the truth as the chosen people of God. God had generally rejected the Gentiles until then. After the kingdom was to have come their positions would be reversed.

Also, one could view the parable as a prophecy concerning the termination of the old covenant with the Jews' special relationship to God and the establishment of the new covenant and the favoritism of its adherents. Further, one could view it as an ending of a relationship based on law & physical elements with the establishment of a relationship based on grace & spiritual elements.

From a Reader in New Mexico:

Al, In regard to your interpretation of "The Rich Man & Lazarus." Well done Ol' Chap!!! You are an incredible exegete!

From a Reader in Hawaii:

Al, I cannot say enough about how well you wrote this one. Clear, concise, and crammed full of logical thinking. How could this be refuted?!!

From Edward Fudge in Texas:

Al, A very fine presentation on a troublesome text. I also like to note the relationship between the context and this story -- the story illustrating in graphic form the contextual points that (1) obedience to God at this time is critical; (2) God and men see and value men differently; (3) covetousness is evil and does not go unpunished.

• I would like to encourage the readers to purchase a copy of Edward's book The Fire That Consumes and study this marvelous work very carefully and prayerfully. It is a fabulous study of the nature of man and the final destiny of the wicked. Further information, and how to order a copy, may be found at the URL below. It may also be ordered at www.amazon.com. Edward has further expounded upon his above three contextual points in his GracEmail. I refer you to his excellent articles on The Rich Man & Lazarus.

• The Fire That Consumes
  www.edwardfudge.com/written/fire.html

From a Reader in Mississippi:

Excellent work, Al. You took a difficult subject (Jesus' statement to the thief on the cross) and illustrated how at least some theological problems can be resolved rather simply. Your explanation is sensible and true to the text. Thanks for some good "mind stimulation" to start out the week.

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