Fatal Step To Sectarianism
History is replete with examples of zealous reformers in religion; men whose honesty is unquestioned, whose efforts required sacrificial costs, and yet who succeeded only in forming another religious "sect." So often is this the case that much needed reform is discouraged. Criticism of current practices, with legitimate "Back to the Bible" pleas, are smothered under charges of "heresy" and "new sect."
Must we conclude that tradition is divine authority? What error turns honest, knowledgeable and needed reformers into "another sect?" Genuine heresy has many faults, but we are here concerned with one fatal step that changes the face of heroic restoration to ugly sectarianism.
"Heresy" is, essentially, "self-willed opinion, substituted for submission to the power of truth," and a "sect" is "the division or party formed" when truth is abandoned. (See Vine's Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words) Notice that TRUTH must be determined, its standards established, before "heresy" can be defined. We cannot know if one has departed from home, until we fix a place of residence.
The Jews charged Paul with "heresy" (Acts 24:5,14) and if we could accept their standard of truth (Judaism) we would agree their charge was just. Roman Catholics said the early reformers were "heretics;" and this was so — by R. C. Standards. But one is not a heretic BEFORE GOD — UNLESS HE DEPARTS FROM GOD'S STANDARD OF TRUTH.
A small group may (as in the case of Paul and his brethren) leave a large and popular religious body (the Jewish religion) and, in the eyes of that large body, become a "sect." In reality, before God, they are simply turning to TRUTH; and it is the so-called "mother" group that puts human traditions before divine authority.
But why do so many of these honest efforts to go "back to truth" actually end in the formation of another sect? Since complete truth is the principle by which heresy is determined, the answer is deeply hidden in a subtle change of attitude toward the truth. When a party beings to consider its PRACTICE as the equivalent of TRUTH, the fatal step to sectarianism is made.
This is a cunningly deceptive step, so easily taken. We reason: the true church is that body of people who accept and obey the truth — right? We accept and obey the truth, therefore we are the true church — right? Then only those who do as we do are members of the true church! The switch from divine to human standard is made so smoothly that many members of a group called "Church of Christ" never recognize its presence.
Other steps follow. We tend to rely upon "our" scholars to provide the answers to doctrinal problems; and what "our" brethren establish must be safe and sound. "Our" practice must not be questioned, especially if the majority of "our" brethren accept it. Before we realize it we are judging the law of God by "our" standards.
If any should seek to drink from the pure fountain of God's word without the "benefit" of "our" traditions and nomenclature, we cry "heresy;" and if we succeed in driving them from "our" building, we cry "sect." THE FATAL STEP took place long before, — When we lost our objective view of God's Truth; and ourselves subjects, not judges of the law. (Jas. 4:7-12). Read carefully, II Cor. 10:12-18)
Some may use this article to justify petty and irrational hobby-riding, and others may choose party standards rather than risk being associated with such "crack-pots;" but the principle remains. We learn individual obligation and dedication to God's word, or we are lost in sectarianism. — 1608 Sherrard, Burnet, Texas