A SECTARIAN SPIRIT

To be sectarian means “devoted to some sect, narrow-minded, a member of a sect, one who is blindly devoted to a sect” (Webster). Among our brethren the word sectarian carries the connotation of imbibing the unscriptural spirit common to those in sectarian denominations. Obviously it is no complement to have a sectarian spirit. To manifest such an unholy spirit is evidence that one does not have the mind or spirit of Christ (Phil. 2:5).

We need to be reminded that one can be a member of the true church of Christ and yet harbor a sectarian spirit concerning Christianity.  Such was the case with the Judaizing Christians who sought to bind their Jewish traditions on Gentile converts (Acts 15:10).  Those misguided disciples hated Paul and opposed his every effort.  Although they were baptized disciples, the great apostle called them, “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18).
Everyone condemns and opposes the sectarian spirit, but not everyone perceives that there are two varieties of that ill:

The Sectarian Spirit of Compromise

There are some brethren who are willing to compromise on God’s truth even as do worldly, liberal denominational preachers. Such men see no great wrong, in the large and socially respectable denomination bodies.  In fact they are quite willing to borrow and use denomination methods and terminology in their work and teaching.  They crave mutual toleration and respect from denomination churches and leaders. Men of such spirit feel that the church has been too narrow, strict and exclusive. To them it is bad manners, out of style and even unchristian to ever openly criticize or condemn religious error or false teachers, unless of course it is your conservative brothers you criticize.

Those with this sectarian spirit often view denominational preachers and churches as sweet and nice; that the error they teach is really harmless. On the other hand, our brotherhood and preachers are considered to be narrow and mean, and terribly wrong on so many points. The reason seems to be because we accentuate the differences between truth and error; between Christ’s church and those which men have started. One gets the distinct feeling that if a choice had to be made, their sympathies would go to the denominationalists.

This sectarian spirit is embarrassed at the idea that there is only one church which belongs to Christ and is pleasing to him; and that consequently all man-made churches are sinful and without spiritual value.  They shy away from preaching such a bold and exclusive concept and act as though such was not the case.  Usually, however, it is difficult for such to openly confess their skepticism regarding the uniqueness of the church. They will often hold such views, without openly declaring them.

Those of this frame of mind tend to scorn the scholarship of our brethren, past and present, while adoring that of the denominational world, even of the most liberal scholars. No one objects to using books of great scholars, no matter what their affiliation might be. But when a man rejects brotherhood scholarship with a wave of the hand while devouring that of denominationalism without question, something is wrong. Those who constantly feed at the trough of error will almost certainly reflect that error in their thinking, preaching and writing.

Those who want unity at any price hold a sectarian spirit. Unity is surely a chief concern of every faithful Christian.  We pray for unity as did Christ (John 17:20-21). We diligently work to achieve and maintain it (Eph.. 4:3). Yet truth is also of concern to the righteous man (John 8:32).  God wants us to hold to and speak sound doctrine (Tit. 2:1; II Tim. 1:13).  We are obligated to “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered” (Jude 3).  A faithful brother will hold both unity and loyalty to Christ’s Word in proper balance.  The sectarian mind puts such a low premium on truth that he can tolerate most any abuse of it.  But he cannot tolerate the brother who is set for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16).

The Sectarian Spirit of Legalism

There is yet another variety of this sectarian spirit that is observable.  While noticeably different from those previously discussed it has its counterpart in the sectarian world. These brethren are greatly stirred at the presence and practice of the compromising, liberals among us. They are committed to fighting them without pause. In fact, in their zeal for purity of faith and practice, they exceed the bounds of the Christian spirit and fall into that mean and biter sectarian spirit so common in the world of the small narrow denominational bodies.

They reach a point where they seem to love to fight with brethren who think differently then they do.  One of the great challenges of our Restoration fathers was how to deal with differences of opinion and yet preserve unity.  They expressed their conclusion thusly: “In matters of opinion liberty; in all things love.”  Every man of God will have to fight the good fight of the faith” (I Tim. 6:12).  He will have to mark them that cause divisions contrary to the doctrine of Christ (Rom. 16:17), but when he enjoys such and eagerly pursues this painful task he has imbibed a sectarian spirit. Paul exposed the Judaizers as enemies but did so with tears (Phil. 3:18).

Such brethren put a low premium on the unity of the body. Rather than heal a wound or repair a breach, they opt to separate themselves.  They prefer to drive out offending brothers and destroy the misdirected good work or project.  There are times when loyal saints have no option but to come out of the Babylon of error.  Such decisions to break fellowship should not be hastily made.  Sectarians have a low view of the importance of unity and oneness.

A sectarian person will insist on uniformity of opinion and conformity to  his strongly held views and practices.  It never seems to occur to him that the other brother’s view might possibly be right or that his might be wrong.  He works on the assumption that he is always right on the mark and any variation therefrom is wrong. Such folks can bring tremendous pressure upon those with whom they disagree to bring them into line. This the denominationalists do with their creeds and governing bodies.
The sectarian mind is suspicious of all brethren outside of its immediate circle of friends. Others are presumed to be of doubtful soundness until they prove their loyalty to the satisfaction of such brethren. They tend to believe the worst about another brother’s life and work when gossip circulates.  Sooner or later this suspicion boomerangs upon them and other sectarian-spirited folks accept the evil report about them.

The sectarian-saint develops a bitter, hateful spirit towards those not of his clique. Such is seen in the way they refer to them, often omitting endearing terms such as brother. They attack brethren not of their camp with an caustic, abusive spirit.  They ridicule their reasoning and cast aspersions on their work.  Such is not the spirit of our Lord. The agape love he commands will treat even our enemies with kindness and courtesy (Rom. 12:14,20).

The sectarian man preaches God’s gospel in a hateful, belligerent way. He may call it “sound preaching” or “standing for the truth” but in reality it is a rude and hateful presentation. To speak the truth in love would be considered “weak preaching” of no merit (Eph. 4:15).

A sectarian mind assumes that every new or different method of doing God’s work is unscriptural and therefore wrong. Without asking, “is this just another acceptable way to fulfill a given command,” he attacks it and those who use it as unsound. He shoots first and asked his questions later. Thus the sectarian brother is often forced to do his work in ways that are outmoded and ineffective. If he prevails all will have to do the same.

Let every brother and sister try themselves to see if they truly have the mind of Christ or that of a sectarian (II Cor. 13:5).  May God deliver us from a sectarian spirit.