The Parson looks at faith and truth in simple ways. Since I do not defend, support or promote any party I just stand back and observe. I am amazed that preachers I know and respect for their stand for the truth on some subjects will twist the truth when it comes to the meaning of words that might condemn them. I have spent many hours reviewing the brotherhood papers to find articles written over the last 30 years on sectarianism and denominationalism. I can sum what they write very simply: They say the Church of Christ is not sectarian because they are the true New Testament church and not denominational because their name is in the Bible and they don't have a creed book. Such preaching sounds good when you are "preaching to the choir," but is it the truth? I did not find one article, not even one that gave the reader the dictionary definition and then compared it to their practice. What I did find were repeated attacks on brethren like Ed Harrell, who is not only a faithful gospel preacher but also a world respected historian because he has the courage to define these words and make the appropriate application.
Since these English words are not in the Scriptures we must, I repeat, must define the words as they are and then, and only then will we know who fits the definition. This will upset many people but to please God we must conform our actions to His will and not twist words so we appear obedient. I only have one English dictionary and it is the "Webster's American Dictionary-College Edition" but I went to the bookstore and checked the others. The definitions are the same so I am confident that we will have the truth. What do these words mean?
"SECT: 1. Body of persons adhering to a
particular religious faith, denomination. 2. A group regarded as heretical
or as deviating from a generally accepted religious tradition. 3. Any group
or faction united by a specific doctrine."
"SECTARIAN: 1. Of or pertaining to sectaries or sects. 2. Narrowly confined or devoted to a particular sect. 3. Narrowly confined or limited in interest, purpose, etc. 4. A member of a sect. 5. A bigoted or narrow-minded person."
Forget what brotherhood preachers or writers say sectarian means. The dictionary makes it simple, so simple even I can understand. To separate yourself from others because of a specific doctrine makes you a sect. To narrowly define those that you consider part of your group makes you sectarian. To become a distinct organization because of limited issues makes you a sectarian. Isn't that simple?
Those who are sectarian claim they are only standing for the truth, but the truth, any truth is not the problem. It is your attitude toward those who believe differently that turns your group into a sect. Sectarianism in the Church of Christ has become so bad that they now refuse to fellowship even those who agree with them on almost everything but do not send their children to "our college" or subscribe to "our paper." Let me give you an example. In the town where Mrs. Parson and I live there are two congregations that call themselves "conservative." They are the only ones in town that are listed in the appropriate papers and Internet sites as "faithful" churches. They consider all other congregations in town to be "liberal." One is indeed so "liberal" that they spent 11 million dollars on their new building with much of the cost for fellowship and recreational facilities. Is providing entertainment a scriptural work of the church? I don't believe it is! On the other hand there is another congregation here whose preacher has an interesting story. Some years ago he was preaching for a church that was going to buy hot dogs out of the treasury for a cookout. He objected and gave Biblical reasons why he believed it to be wrong. The elders refused to change their intended action. What did this brother do? He resigned, even though he had a wife and two kids and no prospect for income to provide for them. He put his principles before his person. MAY GOD BLESS HIM. He did find a small assembly of saints to work with and continued to preach what he believed the Bible to teach. Today it is a strong congregation even able to support preachers in foreign fields. They have 4 elders that demand book, chapter and verse for everything they believe and practice. In fact, one of their members told me that they were looking at the financial report and saw an expenditure they did not feel comfortable with. They went to the elders who then met and in less than 24 hours contacted the sister. They said, "We have always done that and never thought about it, but you are right. We will not spend the Lord's money that way again." You have to respect these elders and their preacher for trying to follow God's word. What is the problem, you ask? Sectarianism! The so-called conservative churches will not attend meetings or singings that these brethren have even though they preach and practice almost the same thing. Is this because they are so secluded in their own sect that they don"t know what the other congregation stands for or is it because the preacher went to the Memphis School of Preaching and not Florida College? But please understand that this separation is not limited to one side of an issue. Those who would call themselves "progressive" are just as guilty of not associating with those they call "anti." All sects are sin in the eyes of God.
This subject upsets me so much that I could continue for many more pages but I won't. This is what I believe: (1) All of God's children are my brethren and I love them even when we disagree. (2) I respect the autonomy of God's congregational arrangement therefore only the actions of God's family where I worship will affect my salvation. (3) All other congregations are responsible to God for their own actions. (4) I have the right and responsibility to preach what I believe to be the truth but it doesn't change brotherhood. (5) We will never search for truth together if we divide ourselves into separate sects. I believe that this is what God's Word teaches. There were many problems in the 1st century; there were many false doctrines and teachers, but there was only one Body of Christ and all the saved were in it.
I have been asked about the different sects within the Church of Christ. Next week I will try to give you a list of those that I know about.
The Parson, 1/16/05