Sunday, September 1, 2019

Who Causes Division In The Church?




Who Causes Division?

The Church is a (Holy) Spirit led group of individuals defined in Scripture as the body of Christ that precludes human organization. Those who belong to Christ will have love for one another. They will do what it takes to fellowship with one another and not seek for reasons to divide. In my area, there are at least 4 (probably more) Church of God organizations that all meet in separate places and are all within 10-30 minutes of each other. Most of these people know each other and were all in the same fellowship at one time. Many still recognize those meeting 10 minutes away as their brethren. Many believe we should all be in one place to fellowship. So who has caused this division? Who is responsible? Who is able to cause division?

We are told we must all speak the same thing and be in one accord. How is that even possible? A new person certainly doesn’t think and say the same things that someone who has been around 40 years. And anyone who has courageously discussed Bible topics with others knows that there are many different opinions on doctrines and prophecies in the church. That is true even among the ministers. What is the bar setting to let us know we are all speaking the same thing? Does the Bible even tell us to all speak the same thing?

I Corinthians 1:10 is often misapplied in telling the brethren that we must all speak the same thing and that anything short of that is causing division and involves a spirit of rebellion. Is that really what Paul meant?
“Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 
“For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.” 
“Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul’ or ‘I am of Apollos’ or ‘I am of Cephas’ or ‘I am of Christ.’” 
“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 
“I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.”
The division being caused is brethren that are upholding certain men as their leaders in unhealthy ways that would lead to oppression. We are not to follow after and idolize men. It would seem that early on, there was a desire among people to want an overseer that they could look up to and designate as a leader or a champion. This champion would usurp thinking and decision-making and the people would have it so.

Paul even tells Timothy in II Timothy 4:3 that, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.” For many in top-down authoritative churches, Bible study and discussions are replaced with pontificating sermons. If that does not describe the organizations filled with paid teachers to satisfy itching ears instead of inquisitive minds that should be reading the Bible, then I don’t know what Paul means.

Paul states the solution to this problem at the very beginning.
“…that you all speak the same thing…in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
“Same” is used 3 times and is the Greek: AUTOS, which means “yourself”. The verse, based on the context, should actually read more like this:
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak for yourselves and that there be no divisions among you [whereby you are choosing men to speak for you] but that you be perfectly joined together by the use of your own mind and your own judgment.”
The truth is, this verse is the exact opposite of how it is used in sermons to quash critical thinking and questioning and just become one in a hive-mind. This is exactly what Paul believed how brethren should be, owning their own minds and exercising them: not allowing their minds to be usurped by the teaching of another man, including himself. The Bereans in Acts 17 were called “fair-minded” because they did not just accept anything that was told to them. They studied, cross-examined, things that were said to determine in their own minds if what they heard was true or false.

This was a huge concern to Paul; that leaders would come along to draw away followers in their own name. It is human nature to want to put off our responsibilities onto others. It is easy to hand over personal responsibility to think and study and discern and give that power over to a champion. Wolves in sheep clothing know this. Those who preach only out of selfish gain know this. In a Forbes list of top 10 occupations sought out by psychopaths, “religious leader” made the list!

I Corinthians 2:15, still within the context of division caused by following after men, Paul says, “But he who is spiritual investigates all things, while he himself is rightly investigated by no one.” In other words, a converted individual “proves all things” and by doing so, never allows himself to be judged by another man (possibly one who claims to be a special leader). The true Christian will not lazily follow any man or give up his right to question and challenge all things. We must each work out our own salvation and not give ourselves up to human idols and organizations that work against these Biblical warnings from Paul to not give up our individual sovereignty.

Diotrephes is the perfect example of what happens when we give ourselves over to human idols and is exactly what Paul was afraid would happen. Diotrephes became a cult leader who exalted himself, ran down other churches and other ministers, causing division and put people out of church if they didn’t blindly follow his version of truth.

Jude 19 talks about, “sensual persons who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” These persons are described in verse 16 as, “grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” The context in which this is used in sermons is usually that this is describing disgruntled laity. But what kind of effect would a lay member have going around with this attitude? Probably, not much.

“Divisions” in Jude 19 is APODIORIZO: which means, false teachers that cause division.

The context of Jude is a stern warning to be on the lookout for false teachers and leaders. Notice in Verse 11 that these false teachers, “have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit…”

David V. Barrett received a Ph.D. in Sociology of Religion. In his book, "The Fragmentation of a Sect: Schism in the Worldwide Church of God", he points out all splits in WCG to the present various churches of God could only be caused and were caused by the ministry. On pages 208-209:
"But in a family of churches where top-down authority has always been the norm...members were expected to follow their ministers."
"...it is primarily ministers who have actively left one church to join or to found another, and in many cases they took their members with them."
"...it is a feature of established sects that schism comes only from the divisions among the influential elite within each movement; no other person is sufficiently influential to cause division..."
"Schism must thus be from the ministerial ranks, and in particular from those at the center of the organization; the laity are too receptive and docile (accustomed to obedience) to initiate schisms, and have no opportunity to preach heresy, or to challenge organizational arrangement." 
The irony in all this is that an all-powerful ministry responsible for the schisms, created options for the brethren and are thus responsible for diffusing their own power and control. Ministers, being the cause of division, is the only thing (besides the internet) that has given the laity any kind of voice.

Our leaders place an inordinate amount of importance in loyalty and consensus. “Division” and “rebellion” are terms used to keep critical thinking to a minimum. This approach alienates members from each other and inevitably creates the culture of, “pay, pray, stay and obey.” Gerald Weston claimed in a sermon about what makes a church Philadelphian, that it was "right government" and of course that right government was the top-down, one-man-rule in LCG.

False claims that we are the “one true church” further alienates us from our communities. We meet in secret and do very little to reach people in our communities. After paying unbiblical tithes, there is nothing left to help people.

Laodicea has often been said to mean, “the people decide.” This has typically been explained by the churches of God that these are groups of people who refuse to submit to the government of God and are making their own decisions or they are in governments where there is voting or congregational polity. This is certainly how Gerald Weston would interpret it.

But let us look at this once again in terms of authority and Judes’ warning of false teachers who serve themselves. In Philadelphia, Jesus has the Key of David. In places where brotherly love exists with no major criticism, Christ has put His authority in those places. In Laodicea, what if the people making decisions are self-serving ministries in top-down churches? A self-serving, elite ministry would reject Christ’s authority and effectively close the door to the Kingdom for them and those that follow them.
“But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
Remember, Jesus said this in Matthew 23:13, right after directing the previous 4 verses to the disciples on not to seek rank among the brethren!

Yet, Christ in His mercy, knocks on the doors to these churches that have rejected His authority in hopes that there will be brethren inside who will wake up and leave the grips of these false teachers whom Jude warns us about.

I Corinthians 7:23, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”

Romans 14:12, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Is the Holy Spirit pouring out gifts in the churches of God? Are their governments set up in a way that forbids the Holy Spirit to work? Does the church reflect love and grace toward all men or is it an aloof and divided people meeting in secret, always wading through "us-and-them" scenarios?

The biggest problem with hierarchical governments is they attract narcissists and psychopaths who "act" their way into positions where they can then exercise oppressive power. Similar types who lack charisma and intelligence fill in the middle ranks as managers. When the charismatic and/or intelligent leader dies or is taken away, the void is filled with squabbling managers. These managers cause division.

Hierarchical pastors will rarely view a strong opposing viewpoint without screaming division and rebellion because he doesn't have to. Managers are small-minded, order-takerers that fear debate, fear being exposed, live in an us verses them world, thrive in hierarchical structures, believe they know all the answers

Scholars thrive on healthy debate and love fellowshipping, especially with other free-thinkers. They are not insecure about not knowing everything. They thrive in congregational settings where everyone believes each person is sovereign and responsible for their own salvation. Scholars know authoritarians cause division.

The legacy of WCG and its splinters is division caused by squabbling managers and a support group of lay-members who are happy to have it thus. The scholar is silenced or forced out for rebellion and "causing division."

20 comments:

Dennis said...

Everyone "speaking for yourself" causes another kind of division only from the bottom up and not from the top down. When they meet in the middle, churches split over and over. Paul cursed those who brought any other teachings but the ones "we" = he, delivered. (Gal1-2) In his genuine letters,2 Timothy not generally considered one of them, Paul was intolerant of the views of others including Peter,James and John.

Anonymous said...

I have often said in one on one conversations that the right kind of church service would be coming together to worship in song, prayer and interchanging views and insights given by the Holy Spirit, as well as testimonials as to how He has interacted with that individual during that; all being mt with open minds and seeking hearts overshadowed with love. That, to me, is the perfect gathering for those who seek Jesus.

Anonymous said...

I should have said:

I have often said in one on one conversations that the right kind of church service would be coming together to worship in song, prayer and interchanging views and insights given by the Holy Spirit, as well as testimonials as to how He has interacted with that individual during that week, all being met with open minds and seeking hearts overshadowed with love. That, to me, is the perfect gathering for those who seek Jesus.

Byker Bob said...

Actually, God is the author of confusion. The thing is, confusion is a tool He uses on those who are working at cross-purposes to His own. We used to sing (in a Dwight Armstrong hymn) "Divide, confuse their tongue!" That references a great example of how God authored and utilized confusion at the Tower of Babel. If you read about the battles of the Israelites, and David's wars, you can learn about and appreciate many examples of God using confusion to defeat His adversaries.

Regardless as to how it happened, the Armstrong movement has been divided and confused. In fact, the splinters would seem to be caught in another metaphor: "spewed from the mouth of God". In a sense, it is inconsequential to me how this has happened. I'm just grateful that it has. Armstrongism is and was a defective product which caused much lasting damage in the lives of far too many sincere individuals who only sought enlightenment in God's ways, and instead received poisoning of the soul.

BB

Feastgoer said...

In the Evansville, IN area, COGWA and UCG share the same meeting place - a motel.

COGWA meets at 10:00 a.m. UCG meets at 2:30 p.m.

If they ever combine, I haven't heard about it - which is sad.

Dennis said...

That said...yes, the ministry and administrators caused all the division in WCG. Members were only expected to go along to get along as well as ministers who had had enough of HQ BS. A healthy religious environment for self expression is however found in those such as Episcopalian, Methodist and Presbyterian for the most part . Forget southern Baptists.

Anonymous said...

In a culture in which victim-blaming is the norm, I'd hazard to guess division is always the fault of whoever suffers the most because of it?

Anonymous said...



The ministry always cause division. Always have and always will.


Byker Bob said...

Interestingly, in terms of growth, division cancels out multiplication. If these cretins would only develop a sense of vision, swallow their pride, and learn to occasionally take one for the team, maybe at least one of the splinter groups would actually experience measurable growth!

Subtraction also cancels out addition. Abandoning “my way or the highway” and learning to work through issues with members, would retain most of the members they already have, as opposed to considering all members as being expendable and therefore regularly suffering big losses.

BB

What About The Truth said...

Stoned Stephen Society you forgot about Rom. 16:17-18. The admonition from Paul to the BRETHREN to "mark" them which cause divisions and offences contrary to doctrine. Paul goes on to say avoid them. Who are them? Verse 18 certainly screams it is the ministry or leaders.

I know that is a hard action to do by people who have been engrossed in the COG government system for 20, 30, 40 or more years. Being in a COG environment for so many years dulls the mind to any possibility of there being any other "truth" than what has been dictated, decreed, written or loud mouthed from the ministry or leaders.

With eyes towards the coming Kingdom or true government of God, the aspect of what is truth is so tarnished that who would one believe if a true witness would appear on the scene with a true testimony?

The warnings are everywhere in the New Testament about men who corrupt the truth or worse. Paul even warns of a man coming who will exalt himself so high as to call himself God and people will believe him. We have a man in Wadsworth, Ohio operating in the same way and some 2000 people believe his every word.

These leaders and the ministers that follow them are the cause of division because their teachings and actions are anti Christ in many ways. Unrighteousness is the result and Paul said to not have any fellowship with the unrighteous.

So whether the brethren care to mark those that are guilty of division or cease to fellowship with them, the out is right there in the bible for that care enough to read it.

Anonymous said...

Who Causes Division In The Church?
I personally think this is the wrong question. A better question is What Causes Division in a Religious Organization? To say "The Church" contributes to division. Using Corinthians as "The Church" overlooks the fact that it was one Congregation. This early church that Paul was addressing was dealing with a lot of different beliefs in the world at that time. In fact the book of Revelations points to problems in congregations different cities. To me God is working with individuals not groups. To think other wise and judge people, minister, and organization fails to recognize that the Biblical writings reveal problems to solved, but unless they are my problem and He has given me the power them I do not have the right critically condemn any one else. ASB

Anonymous said...

Who Causes Division In The Church?
I personally think this is the wrong question. A better question is What Causes Division in a Religious Organization? To say "The Church" contributes to division. Using Corinthians as "The Church" overlooks the fact that it was one Congregation. This early church that Paul was addressing was dealing with a lot of different beliefs in the world at that time. In fact the book of Revelations points to problems in congregations different cities. To me God is working with individuals not groups. To think other wise and judge people, minister, and organization fails to recognize that the Biblical writings reveal problems to solved, but unless they are my problem and He has given me the power to solve them I do not have the right to critically condemn any one else. ASB

Anonymous said...

DD said: Paul was intolerant of the views of others including Peter,James and John.

My Comment: This statement shows a lack of understanding of Paul's role in the development the Christian faith. There are theologians who have addressed many of the writings of Paul that explain why he writes what does in the different scriptures attributed to him. I have William Barclay's Daily Study Bible Series and the one titled the Letters to the Corinthians (revised edition) has historical information associated with time Paul wrote those letters. I realize that DD doesn't except the Christian faith, but for those who do it supports their faith. ASB

Anonymous said...

It looks like I put in one comment two times.
Here is another comment
Denis said:
BS. A healthy religious environment for self expression is however found in those such as Episcopalian, Methodist and Presbyterian for the most part . Forget southern Baptists.
Does this mean that these healthy churches are where God's people are?
ASB

EX WCG/PCG/RCG said...

From what I have witnessed over the years it has primarily been the "ministry". It doesn't matter if it was the WCG (with or without HWA). And then we have both Tkach regimes.

WCG spawned many ass clowns. We all know who they are. Many of us have been with them and left. Very few ever followed us...not that we would want them too. We'd been happy if they even contacted us by phone.

The ministers had the power, and the clout to form their own organizations, gather up monies, and create a church business. How many of us could really do that?

Thankfully, their are some scattered true ministers out there. Most are available on the Internet.

Anonymous said...

In my experience, it was moral mis behavior that caused the problems between members. Bible twisting is the consequence. Dave Pack being an excellent example.

Anonymous said...

ASB
On the contrary, Dennis does accept the Christian faith. He is another splinter church called The Dennis Diehl Crown Stealing Church Of God. He posts his sermons and sermonettes on this blog.
The blog owner should consider that God holds him accountable for allowing Pastor Dennis to use his blog to spread his "gospel."

Anonymous said...

"crown stealing"???? What crown is he stealing? The Armstrongite crown? An entire belief system based upon a lie cannot be stolen by anyone criticizing it.

Byker Bob said...

Crown stealing is just another Armstrongite Shibboleth. It’s another example of them lifting a powerful scripture and applying it to the garbage of their “apostle” instead of to JC and the Original Apostles.

BB

Anonymous said...

Wow, someone willing to admit that they fell for it hard signing in as ex wcg, pcg, rcg, I guess some like to learn the hard way. If at all!