Sectarianism refers to excessive devotion or attachment to a particular sect or religious denomination. It often involves being intolerant or hostile towards other sects or denominations. At its extreme, sectarianism can lead to conflict, division, and harm between different religious groups.
The Bible does not promote sectarianism. Scripture calls followers of Jesus to unity, love, and acceptance of one another across denominational lines. However, there are times when healthy boundaries must be maintained between groups that hold significantly different beliefs and values. Discernment is needed to determine when separation is warranted versus unnecessary division.
Old Testament Teachings on Sectarianism
The Old Testament provides examples of how devotion to one’s own group can lead to conflict with others. After King Solomon’s death, the united kingdom of Israel split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12). This political divide reflected a deeper spiritual divide, as the northern tribes fell into idolatry and rejected worship in Jerusalem. The two kingdoms often fought against each other rather than uniting against common enemies.
Later, during the post-exilic period, divisions emerged between Jews who had remained in Judah and those who returned from Babylon. The book of Nehemiah describes hostility and lack of cooperation between these groups (Nehemiah 2:19-20, 4:1-3). Sectarianism weakened the solidarity of the Jewish people at a time when they needed unity.
The Old Testament prophets frequently critiqued Israel and Judah for arrogance and hypocrisy in their religious practices. The people observed rituals and offerings while neglecting justice, mercy and faithfulness (Isaiah 1:10-17, Amos 5:21-24). Jesus later echoed this prophetic critique of empty religion without ethical integrity (Matthew 23:23-28).
Overall, the Old Testament demonstrates the divisiveness that can occur when God’s people focus on sectarian differences rather than pursuing a sincere faith and righteous living that glorifies God.
New Testament Teachings on Sectarianism
In the Gospels, Jesus crossed social boundaries and religious divisions to minister to those considered outsiders or less holy. He reached out to Samaritans (John 4:1-42), Romans (Matthew 8:5-13), and tax collectors (Luke 19:1-10) in a society characterized by strict sectarianism.
When Jesus’ disciples tried to hinder children from approaching him, Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). He welcomed those often deemed unimportant or impure by the religious establishment.
Jesus condemned sectarianism among the Pharisees who used rigorous observance of the law to exalt themselves above others:
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others…They make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:5-6).
He accused them of converting people to their sect but not to true righteousness:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves” (Matthew 23:15).
Jesus’ teachings emphasized love of God and neighbor over legalistic rule-following or outward displays of piety used to elevate one’s own sect (Matthew 22:34-40).
The early church struggled with sectarianism as it navigated unity across racial and cultural barriers. Some Jewish believers wanted to require Gentile converts to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. After much dispute, the Jerusalem Council decided that Gentiles only needed to abstain from sexual immorality and food sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:1-35). They recognized that cultural differences need not divide the church.
The apostle Paul continuously worked against sectarian attitudes that could fracture the church on lines of ethnicity, social status, or secondary doctrinal issues. To the Corinthians he wrote:
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
He reminded the Galatians that in Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Unity across differences was imperative to Paul.
At times, Paul did encourage separation from professing believers engaged in serious unrepentant sin or teaching contrary to apostolic doctrine (1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Titus 3:9-11). But even this was meant for their ultimate repentance and restoration, not sectarian shunning. Healthy boundaries can serve unity.
Principles for Navigating Sectarianism
Based on biblical teachings, the following principles can help believers pursue unity while avoiding unnecessary sectarianism:
– Focus on Jesus Christ and essential doctrines of the faith as the center of unity. Secondary issues should not divide true Christians (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
– Accept and value fellow believers from diverse cultures, races, classes, and denominations (Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9).
– Relate to fellow Christians with humility, patience, and grace. Do not view your group as superior or more holy (Philippians 2:1-4).
– Celebrate freedom in the Spirit over legalistic rule-keeping used to divide or exclude (Galatians 5:1).
– Prioritize obeying God’s commands to love one another above loyalty to sects, parties, or factions (John 13:34-35).
– Avoid a judgmental spirit toward other believers over debatable matters of conscience (Romans 14:1-23).
– Be cautious about separating over secondary issues not core to the faith. Distinguish between essentials and non-essentials.
– When doctrinal differences are significant, pursue respectful dialogue and careful study of Scripture together (Acts 15:1-35).
– Correct doctrinal error with humility, gentleness, and patience (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Make sure critique is valid and with right motives.
– Discern when healthy boundaries are appropriate versus unnecessary division. Each case will differ. Seek wisdom.
– For serious unrepentant sin or false teaching, exercise church discipline for the sake of restoration (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5).
– Keep the mission of making disciples of all nations primary. Do not neglect evangelism because of infighting (Matthew 28:19-20).
With wisdom, biblical fidelity, and dependence on the Spirit, Christians can navigate faithfully amidst diversity, avoid harmful sectarianism, and keep the unity of the faith through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3-6).
Examples of Sectarianism in Church History
Throughout church history, sectarian attitudes have hindered Christian unity and caused needless division. Examining how these tendencies manifest provides lessons for avoiding future sectarian mistakes. Here are some notable examples:
Donatists
In 311 AD, Caesar called bishops to surrender scriptures to be burned during persecution. Some did; others like Donatus refused and were martyred. After persecution ended, Donatus labeled traditor bishops apostates even though they repented. His followers formed a separatist church body rejecting the rest of the church as impure. Augustine argued against their divisive perfectionism.
Arian Controversy
Early Christians debated Christ’s divine-human nature. Arius claimed Jesus was not eternal but created. His view gained popularity but was condemned at the 325 Council of Nicea which affirmed Christ’s full divinity. For nearly a century, political and regional lines divided support for the competing views until Arianism was eventually repudiated.
Iconoclasm
In the 700s, Byzantine emperors banned religious images or icons as idolatry sparking iconoclasm. Icons were destroyed and iconophiles persecuted. The west and eastern churches excommunicated each other over this issue in 787 for a time. Not until 843 did Theodora finally restore icon veneration, ending the unnecessary turmoil.
The East-West Schism
In 1054, Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy formally split based on growing theological, liturgical, and political differences exacerbated by Roman primacy claims tied to the papacy. This painful division remains today despite periodic reconciliation efforts reminding us of the lasting harm caused by refusing unity.
Protestant-Catholic Division
Following the Protestant Reformation, sectarian hostilities led to devastating wars between Protestant and Catholic nations. Division propagated more division into denominational factions. Even today, resentment remains in places like Northern Ireland. Scripture calls us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
Dangers of Sectarianism
These sobering examples highlight potential dangers that can emerge when sectarian attitudes take root:
– Bitter disputes, hostility, violence, and conflict between groups
– False sense of moral or spiritual superiority leading to pride, arrogance, and lack of humility
– Judging, criticizing, shunning, and ostracizing fellow believers over secondary issues
– Downplaying common ground and amplifying differences
– Dogmatism over debatable matters and seeking to impose uniformity
– Neglecting mission, ministry, acts of service due to infighting and disunity
– Splintering into factious groups instead of exhibiting cohesive witness
– Suspicion, resentment, and distrust between Christian traditions
– Unwillingness to learn from other denominations and streams
– Division weakening the church’s broader impact and influence
The Bible exhorts Christians to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Our witness depends on modeling the reconciling love and grace of Christ.
Pursuing Christian Unity While Avoiding Sectarianism
In a diverse church, completely avoiding sectarian tendencies may be impossible. However, here are some possible ways believers can actively pursue unity and resist unnecessary divisiveness:
– Affirm core orthodox doctrines while allowing liberty in secondary disputable matters (Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13).
– Focus on what unites Christians in Christ rather than what divides (Ephesians 4:4-6).
– Build relationships with believers from different denominations, ethnicities, cultures, ages, etc.
– Avoid broad negative stereotypes about other Christian sects, traditions, or groups.
– Refuse to participate in criticism, gossip, or exalting self over others (Philippians 2:3).
– Approach differences with intellectual humility instead of an adversarial spirit. Listen to understand before critiquing.
– Make maintaining unity of faith a higher priority than winning arguments (1 Corinthians 1:10).
– Correct false teaching with gentleness and patience, not hostility or arrogance (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
– Keep perspective on which issues are essential versus less important tertiary matters. Don’t make mountains out of molehills.
– Strive for consistency between beliefs and practice. Loving others supersedes loyalty to a group (1 John 4:20-21).
– Focus on sharing the gospel and serving those in need rather than proselytizing to your own sect or political party.
– Pray for and encourage ministry efforts and gospel witness across denominational lines.
– Support charitable causes and justice initiatives that unite churches in cities to work together.
– Avoid isolation and insularity. Pursue cooperation with other congregations.
– Remain open to reexamining beliefs and willing to change if persuasive biblical reasons are presented.
The church may discuss and debate secondary doctrines but should ultimately exhibit love that supersedes disagreement (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). With the Spirit’s help, sacrificial effort to maintain unity is possible and essential.
Conclusion
Sectarianism presents an ongoing challenge for nurturing biblical unity in diversity within Christ’s church. By focusing on the core truths of the gospel, accepting one another in spite of differences, humbly discussing disputed issues, and prizing love over being right, Christians can avoid needless division. Ecumenical cooperation and joint efforts to make Christ known can also promote unity amidst diversity across denominational lines without requiring uniformity. With vigilance, patience, and grace, the biblical call to unity in the faith remains an attainable goal for Christ’s followers.