Ecclesiastical separatism: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Christianity Branches.svg|thumb|right|500px|The historical development of major church branches from their roots]] |
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[[Image:Schisms and their Councils.png|thumb|right|500px|Christian Schisms and their Councils]] |
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'''Ecclesiastical separatism''' is the withdrawal of people and churches from [[Christian denomination]]s, usually to form new denominations. |
'''Ecclesiastical separatism''' is the withdrawal of people and churches from [[Christian denomination]]s, usually to form new denominations. |
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In the 16th and 17th centuries, the [[Definitions of Puritanism|separating puritans]] advocated departure from the [[Church of England]]. These people became known as [[English Dissenters|dissenters]]. |
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the [[Definitions of Puritanism|separating puritans]] advocated departure from the [[Church of England]]. These people became known as [[English Dissenters|dissenters]]. |
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Ecclesiastical separatism has also been associated with [[Christian fundamentalism]], and such withdrawals have been mainly due to perceived [[theological liberalism]]. They have often been accompanied by a refusal to have any further association with the parent denomination |
Ecclesiastical separatism has also been associated with [[Christian fundamentalism]] (at times other forms of [[Confessionalism (religion)|theological conservatism]]), and such withdrawals have been mainly due to (perceived) [[Liberal Christianity|theological liberalism]] within the established [[state churches]], [[National church|national churches]], and [[Mainline Protestant|mainline Protestant denominations]]. They have often been accompanied by a refusal to have any further association with the parent denomination/Christian fellowship with its members, or denominations cutting ties of [[full communion]] or [[altar and pulpit fellowship]] with other denominations. [[George Marsden]] notes that [[Arno C. Gaebelein]] was one of the early fundamentalist leaders to advocate ecclesiastical separation in a conference address in 1914.<ref>{{cite book|last=Marsden|first=George M.|author-link=George Marsden|title=Fundamentalism and American Culture|date=2006|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|page=127|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKXfuAYqI8EC&pg=PA127|access-date=13 December 2015|isbn=9780199741120}}</ref> Gaebelein had left the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] in 1899.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pierard |first=Richard V. |chapter=Gaebelein, A(rno) C(lemens) |title=Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oQ8BFk9K0ToC&pg=PA233 |publisher=[[Eerdmans]] |date=1999 |page=233 |access-date=13 December 2015 |isbn=9780802846808}}</ref> For [[Carl McIntire]] in the 1930s and 1940s, separation meant leaving liberal denominations (he formed the [[Bible Presbyterian Church]]) as well as organizations such as the [[National Council of Churches]] (he formed the rival [[American Council of Christian Churches]]). McIntire also separated from evangelical groups, such as the [[National Association of Evangelicals]], which he believed had compromised with the liberalism of the National Council of Churches. |
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In fundamentalism, ecclesiastical separatism is closely |
In fundamentalism, ecclesiastical separatism is closely connected with the [[doctrine of separation]], in which Christians are urged to be personally separate from the world. This is often based on [[2 Corinthians]] 6:17: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." Dennis Costella bases his ideas of separation on God's [[Sacred|holiness]], and argues that this requires not just "withdrawal from counterfeit, apostate Christianity", but also "separation from disobedient brethren".<ref>{{cite web |last=Costella |first=Dennis |title=What Does The Bible Say About Separation?|url=http://www.truthfulwords.org/articles/separation.html|publisher=Fundamental Evangelistic Association|access-date=14 December 2015}}</ref> The "refusal to associate with groups who endorse questionable doctrinal beliefs or moral practices" is known as "first-degree separation", while "second-degree separation" means "refraining from association or identification with groups or individuals who do not practice first-degree separation".<ref name=Eskridge>{{cite web|last=Eskridge|first=Larry|title=Fundamentalism|url=http://www.wheaton.edu/isae/defining-evangelicalism/fundamentalism|publisher=Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals|access-date=14 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114038/http://www.wheaton.edu/isae/defining-evangelicalism/fundamentalism|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Many separatist denominations and groups still exist today. For example, the [[Biblical Graduate School of Theology]] affirms belief "in the principle of biblical separation which calls the individual and the church to holiness, being separated to God and from the world |
Many separatist denominations and groups still exist today. For example, the [[Biblical Graduate School of Theology]] affirms belief "in the principle of biblical separation which calls the individual and the church to holiness, being separated to God and from the world". Its statement of faith goes on to say that "ecclesiastical separation involves rejecting any fellowship with organizations which deny the cardinal truths of Scripture in word or deed".<ref name=position>{{cite web|title=Theological Position|url=http://www.bgst.edu.sg/welcome-message/theological-position|publisher=[[Biblical Graduate School of Theology]]|access-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103053237/http://www.bgst.edu.sg/welcome-message/theological-position|archive-date=3 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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[[Peter Masters]] laments that "biblical Separation from denominational heresy and apostasy (nowadays including homosexual immorality) is no longer widely followed by evangelicals." He argues that this has "led to a weakened, worldly, psychological evangelicalism in Britain |
[[Peter Masters]] laments that "biblical Separation from denominational heresy and apostasy (nowadays including homosexual immorality) is no longer widely followed by evangelicals." He argues that this has "led to a weakened, worldly, psychological evangelicalism in Britain". Masters' congregation, the [[Metropolitan Tabernacle]] in London, separated from the [[Baptist Union of Great Britain]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite web |last=Masters |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Masters |title=The Doctrine of Biblical Separation |url=http://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/Christian-Article/The-Doctrine-of-Biblical-Separation/Sword-and-Trowel-Magazine |publisher=[[Metropolitan Tabernacle]] |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105211/http://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/Christian-Article/The-Doctrine-of-Biblical-Separation/Sword-and-Trowel-Magazine |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==Sources== |
==Sources== |
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* {{ |
* {{cite book|last=Meyendorff|first=John|author-link=John Meyendorff|year=1989|title=Imperial unity and Christian divisions: The Church 450-680 A.D.|series=The Church in history|volume=2|location=Crestwood, NY|publisher=St. Vladimir's Seminary Press|isbn=9780881410563 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6J_YAAAAMAAJ}} |
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[[Category:Christian fundamentalism]] |
[[Category:Christian fundamentalism]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:34, 22 February 2024
Ecclesiastical separatism is the withdrawal of people and churches from Christian denominations, usually to form new denominations.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the separating puritans advocated departure from the Church of England. These people became known as dissenters.
Ecclesiastical separatism has also been associated with Christian fundamentalism (at times other forms of theological conservatism), and such withdrawals have been mainly due to (perceived) theological liberalism within the established state churches, national churches, and mainline Protestant denominations. They have often been accompanied by a refusal to have any further association with the parent denomination/Christian fellowship with its members, or denominations cutting ties of full communion or altar and pulpit fellowship with other denominations. George Marsden notes that Arno C. Gaebelein was one of the early fundamentalist leaders to advocate ecclesiastical separation in a conference address in 1914.[1] Gaebelein had left the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1899.[2] For Carl McIntire in the 1930s and 1940s, separation meant leaving liberal denominations (he formed the Bible Presbyterian Church) as well as organizations such as the National Council of Churches (he formed the rival American Council of Christian Churches). McIntire also separated from evangelical groups, such as the National Association of Evangelicals, which he believed had compromised with the liberalism of the National Council of Churches.
In fundamentalism, ecclesiastical separatism is closely connected with the doctrine of separation, in which Christians are urged to be personally separate from the world. This is often based on 2 Corinthians 6:17: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." Dennis Costella bases his ideas of separation on God's holiness, and argues that this requires not just "withdrawal from counterfeit, apostate Christianity", but also "separation from disobedient brethren".[3] The "refusal to associate with groups who endorse questionable doctrinal beliefs or moral practices" is known as "first-degree separation", while "second-degree separation" means "refraining from association or identification with groups or individuals who do not practice first-degree separation".[4]
Many separatist denominations and groups still exist today. For example, the Biblical Graduate School of Theology affirms belief "in the principle of biblical separation which calls the individual and the church to holiness, being separated to God and from the world". Its statement of faith goes on to say that "ecclesiastical separation involves rejecting any fellowship with organizations which deny the cardinal truths of Scripture in word or deed".[5]
Peter Masters laments that "biblical Separation from denominational heresy and apostasy (nowadays including homosexual immorality) is no longer widely followed by evangelicals." He argues that this has "led to a weakened, worldly, psychological evangelicalism in Britain". Masters' congregation, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, separated from the Baptist Union of Great Britain in 1971.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Marsden, George M. (2006). Fundamentalism and American Culture. Oxford University Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780199741120. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ Pierard, Richard V. (1999). "Gaebelein, A(rno) C(lemens)". Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions. Eerdmans. p. 233. ISBN 9780802846808. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ Costella, Dennis. "What Does The Bible Say About Separation?". Fundamental Evangelistic Association. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ Eskridge, Larry. "Fundamentalism". Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ "Theological Position". Biblical Graduate School of Theology. Archived from the original on 3 November 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ Masters, Peter. "The Doctrine of Biblical Separation". Metropolitan Tabernacle. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
Sources
[edit]- Meyendorff, John (1989). Imperial unity and Christian divisions: The Church 450-680 A.D. The Church in history. Vol. 2. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press. ISBN 9780881410563.