|
 Sectarianism
is the practice of choosing certain doctrines and building a
"party" with them as a boundary, while refusing to
consider anything else as truth. Most brethren agree that the
sectarian spirit should be denounced and condemned by both pen
and pulpit. Some brethren pride themselves in not being a member
of any "brotherhood camp" and in not flying the flag
of any party. Yet those same brethren often encourage and
demonstrate sectarianism by their actions toward those
with whom they differ!
For
example, one may claim to be against sectarianism and then
encourage it by heeding and spreading prejudicial statements
made about a certain brother or congregation. What someone said
about someone else has been the cause of many misunderstandings
and false representations. Erroneous conclusions have often been
drawn about brethren because of secondhand information. James
1:19 tells us that we are to be "swift to hear, slow to
speak" and Christ warns that we will give an account for
every idle word that we speak (Matt. 12:36). The best way to
avoid the sectarian error of misrepresenting others is to check
with them about their actions and convictions.
If
we are truly opposed to partyism, we must also avoid the
practice of ignorantly categorizing brethren. Just recently, a
brother referred to my attitude about a particular situation,
when I had given him no indication of my attitude. I asked him
what gave him the idea that I felt that way. The reply —
several other preachers of "my persuasion" felt that
way, so he assumed
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that my attitude was the same. I suppose "my persuasion" referred
to my agreement with what some brethren teach on one or two
particular subjects. Because of similar convictions on these
matters, it was assumed that those of "my persuasion"
thought the same way and believed exactly the same thing in all
matters. When we begin placing brethren into certain categories
because of false assumptions or erroneous information, we
partake of the party spirit.
Finally,
one of the most obvious ways in which we demonstrate
sectarianism is by refusing to study with those whom we
have branded as sectarian. The Jews referred to Paul as "a
ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes"-- and their Jewish
party pride prevented them from giving Paul an honest and
objective hearing (Acts 24: 5f). If we differ with a brother,
and we will, we should be willing to study together as brethren
— seeking divine truth. As someone well said, "The only
thing that suffers from open and honest investigation is
error." We must always have the attitude that we might be
wrong in our conclusions on some matter. When we think we have
everything worked out, and our conclusions are equivalent to
"truth," we have become the
sectarian!
Sectarianism
will prevail as long as we view a brother as "one of
them" and are unwilling to study with him in a common
endeavor to find the truth. Yes, we may openly condemn the party
spirit and teach against it — then by our actions encourage
and demonstrate the very thing we claim to oppose! Kevan
O'Banion
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