Schism in the Church, Part 2
A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-13
Originally preached Feb. 12, 1961
Scripture
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against …
Sermon Description
The Protestant Reformation created a monumental break within the Western church. It is difficult to deny the necessity of Luther and the Reformers’ break from the Roman Catholic Church whose leaders were unwilling to address heresy and apostasy within the church. But what about the subsequent divisions following the Reformation? Do they carry the same legitimacy as the magisterial Reformers’ break with Rome? Can one know if a division is justified or not? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Schism in the Church (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones engages these most difficult questions. No doubt this sermon challenges every church, denomination, and individual Christian. He treats the danger of schism throughout church history. On the other side of those who champion a vague doctrine stand those Christians who create schisms over every minute point of interpretation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says this is part of the wiles of the devil. Acknowledging that division and schism within the church cannot be fixed with a simple formula, he offers several principles to consider as individuals, churches or denominations consider whether division is justified. Listen to wise counsel from Dr. Lloyd-Jones on divisions in the church with this timely message for the evangelical church.
Sermon Breakdown
- The devil works against God's people through heresies, apostasy, and schism.
- Schism refers to unjustified division in the church that tears the body of Christ apart.
- Schism often arises from too much interest in personalities, desire for preeminence, divisions over gifts or rites, or bigotry.
- Schism is often perpetuated by honest, sincere, and intellectual people who want to be right.
- There are cases where separation is clearly justifiable, like from apostasy or heresy. Further Protestant division can be justified to avoid tradition before truth, imperfect church views, lack of freedom of worship, or return to Catholicism.
- Separation is questionable over non-essential matters, uncertain interpretations, or practical application disagreements. We should agree to disagree on baptism, prophecy interpretation, church government, etc.
- Our chief concern should be knowing God, souls, and glory - not proving ourselves right. Consider the whole situation and consequences. Timing and preparation matter. Balance all factors.
- We should only divide over essentials like the evangelical faith. We can fellowship with those who agree on salvation by faith alone, Christ's deity and atonement, and the resurrection - regardless of label. Division over tradition alone is tragic. We need wisdom to unite around revelation and the biblical gospel.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Church Division
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as "the wiles of the devil" in relation to church division?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the devil uses various tactics to cause division in the church. He identifies three main manifestations: heresies (false teaching on particular matters), apostasy (general departure from the Christian faith), and schism (unjustifiable division in the church). The devil is subtle and opportunistic, adapting his tactics as needed. Lloyd-Jones says, "He doesn't care how he varies his tactics. He'll contradict himself... He can be all things to all men in a very evil sense. He can even turn himself, as we've seen, into an angel of light."
What is the sin of schism according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines schism as "a division in the church which is unjustifiable. It means a separation of Christian people from one another without an adequate cause." He explains that it is "a peculiar manifestation of the wiles of the devil" where Satan "comes to people who've seen the danger of heresy and the danger of apostasy, and he drives them so violently to the opposite extreme that they divide when they shouldn't divide." It is essentially the sin of breaking, tearing, or rending the body of Christ when there is insufficient reason to do so.
What historical examples of schism does Dr. Lloyd-Jones provide?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several historical examples of schism: 1. The divisions that occurred immediately after the Protestant Reformation with the emergence of various sects 2. The multiplicity of sects and groupings during the time of the Puritans (1650-1660) 3. The numerous divisions in the Church of Scotland throughout the 16th-19th centuries 4. The ironically numerous divisions among the Brethren movement, which began with the intention of avoiding denominationalism 5. The many divisions among Strict Baptists in the 19th century 6. The 261 different religious denominations in the United States at the time of his sermon
When is separation from other Christians justifiable according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that separation is justifiable in these cases: 1. When confronting apostasy (as with the Roman Catholic Church) 2. When tradition is put before truth 3. When there is a wrong view of the nature of the church (such as making it a department of the state) 4. When there is interference with freedom of worship 5. When there is a return to Roman Catholic positions and practices
He says, "We must have nothing to do with apostasy, with a system that hides the Lord Jesus Christ from the people and robs them of some of the greatest blessings of his great salvation."
When does Dr. Lloyd-Jones consider separation to be questionable or unjustifiable?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests that separation is questionable or unjustifiable in these situations: 1. When dividing over matters not essential to salvation 2. When dividing over matters where absolute certainty cannot be reached (like baptism or interpretations of prophecy) 3. When dividing over the practical application of biblical teaching (like church government)
He says, "I am suggesting that when you're dealing with matters of pure interpretation, where you cannot arrive at an absolute decision, it is wrong to divide."
What principle does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give for determining what is essential for Christian unity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, "I recognize only one division. It is the division between evangelical and non-evangelical." He considers as essential the beliefs that: 1. People cannot save themselves 2. The deity of Christ 3. The substitutionary atonement 4. The literal physical resurrection
He states: "If a man subscribes to those tenets of the faith, which I've already enunciated, I'm with him. I'm his brother. If he doesn't, I am not with him." On non-essential matters, he is "prepared to stretch to the utmost limit before I separate from him."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest Christians should consider before separating from other believers?
Before separating from other believers, Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests Christians should: 1. Examine their primary concern (Is it the glory of God and salvation of souls, or just proving oneself right?) 2. Consider the situation as a whole, not just one issue 3. Consider the consequences of separation, not just the action itself 4. Consider the timing (there is "a time for these things") 5. Consider the preparation and readiness of the people 6. Balance all factors, including how separation might affect one's effectiveness and witness
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones summarize his approach to Christian unity and division?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones summarizes his approach with the well-known phrase: "In matters essential unity, in matters indifferent, liberty, in all things charity." He laments that evangelical Christians are often divided "solely on grounds of tradition, simply because they happen to have been brought up in a certain section of the church." He believes evangelicals should be united on the essentials of the faith regardless of denominational background. He concludes that Christians should "stand on revelation alone" and preach "the biblical doctrine of sin and condemnation and hell and the only way of salvation in the Son of God by his blood."
What psychological aspect does Dr. Lloyd-Jones associate with schism?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies a psychological aspect to schism, particularly in relation to bigotry. He says, "The bigot is a man who's rarely a psychological case. He doesn't realize that, but his trouble is mainly psychological. It's a lack of balance. It's a spirit of fear." He explains that such people are "so terrified that they may be a heretic or guilty of apostasy that they become hypersensitive, hypercritical, loses his judgment and real balance."
He also notes that those most susceptible to schism are "generally those who are most honest, most sincere, and, if I may add, most intellectual." It's "people who take the Bible seriously and who think and who've got minds" that the devil targets with this temptation.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.