If your church associates with a group of churches that requires exclusive allegiance to itself, you are part of a sect. Despite their boastful claims, sects do not understand the New Testament doctrine of the Church. They are in error. All sects are based on half-truths, faulty reasoning, doctrinal oddities, deceptions, guilt-manipulation, and fear, which are not of the Spirit of truth and liberty. If your church denies you your Spirit-given right sand privilege to fellowship with all Christ-loving, Bible-loving Christians and churches, you need to obey God rather than man and free yourself and family from these unbiblical chains.
Understanding the Church, by Joseph M. Vogl and John H. Fish III, pg.206-207
2 comments:
There can be both Sects and Cults. Some carry the name Church, some hold high positions in Martin’s book, “Kingdom of the Cults”. Some came after it was written, I have an old 1965 copy, perhaps newer editions include more. One included is the Mormon Church, one not listed is the Unification Church. But today there are huge segments of people following other non-biblical faiths. Some go by the name Church some do not,. Some are named for their characteristics: Toronto Blessing, Word of Faith, I’ve even read that groups like YWAM, which does many good works has Sect like characteristics predicated on the separateness and doctrines of their schools and training programs. Maybe that is not true. If you follow the definition of “Sect”, up to today: it could be said that many Charismatic Assemblies and Evangelical Churches have followed those paths, Some independently, others united around some common doctrine(s).
Perhaps a couple of days or weeks spent clarifying the list of all( impossible, maybe the major ones) groups with real or potential problems would be useful. Then again that too might be divisive. If I read the Bible correctly, eventually God will sort it out:
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Fisherman,
Sects are like denominations or associated groups (like the Amish, e.g.). Some of these can be cultic in the way they control their members all the while holding to standard Christian orthodoxy.
The Unification Church was in the last two editions I had; I don't know about the older one I got in the late 1980s -- I've given that one away.
I would say groups like Furtick's Elevation Church and Bethel Redding are cults.
I don't care about being "divisive" if it is in the cause of truth. But it would take one heck of a long time to examine every modern sect in order to make such a list. When I come across bad ones I note them on this blog.
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