The New Testament Condemnation of Divisiveness, Sectarianism, and Factionalism
Someone in one of his comboxes cited my collection of pro-Pope Francis links: “Pope Francis Defended.” Radical Catholic reactionary Skojec (head honcho at One Vader Five) replied: “That you would link to Patheos only shows you are not someone to be taken seriously.” And again: “Patheos Catholic is anything but. And that’s what you linked to. Dave Armstrong is no exception.” He has also referred to “the Patheos ‘Catholic’ crowd” (9-18-19).
Now someone may retort, “Well, Armstrong denies that Skojec is a Catholic, too, right? Goose and gander!” Wrong! Never ever have I done such a thing. Remember, my own coined term for those of his ilk is “radical Catholic reactionaries.” I designed the term specifically to include “Catholic” — precisely to overcome the brain-dead objection that I am denying they are Catholics. Not so!
And here is Skojec denying my status as a Catholic. How far reactionaryism has come. They used to call orthodox Catholics like me “neo-Catholics” (coined by more kooky than sedevacantism Gerry Matatics and greatly popularized by Chris Ferrara) — which was stupid and insulting enough. Now we are not Catholics at all.
Well, this is not altogether unexpected, seeing that one of his comrades, Hilary White (writer at Lifesite News and now The Remnant), is now contending that neither the pope nor any of the bishops of the Catholic Church are Catholic, but rather, “Novusordoists”: which she literally classifies as another religion altogether. So Skojec is simply gravitating further and further right, to theological loony-land and Kookville. It’s all quite predictable.
Sure enough, as an extra bonus for those who enjoy farce and self-parody, Hilary White showed up in the same thread, exhibiting her kooky views, just as I described them:
Well, we had this unfortunate event happen in 1963 [i.e., Vatican II], followed by 50 years of total chaos with modernist and other types of heretics being in charge of the Church who don’t believe in God and don’t care who they hurt in forcing their agenda on the rest of us.
And welcome back from your five-decade long vacation on Mars. How’s the weather on the red planet these days?
The New Testament has a great deal to say about folks like White and Skojec who are extremely divisive:
John 17:20-23 (RSV) “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. [22] The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.”*Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. [18] For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.*1 Corinthians 1:10-13 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. [11] For it has been reported to me by Chlo’e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. [12] What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol’los,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” [13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (cf. 2 Cor 12:20; Phil 2:2)*1 Corinthians 3:3-4 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men? [4] For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apol’los,” are you not merely men? (cf. Rom 13:13; Jas 3:16)*1 Corinthians 5:11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber — not even to eat with such a one.
*1 Corinthians 11:18-19 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, [19] for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.*1 Corinthians 12:25 that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.*Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, [21] envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.*1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, [4] he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, [5] and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.*Titus 3:9-11 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. [10] As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, [11] knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.*Jude 16-19 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own passions, loud-mouthed boasters, flattering people to gain advantage. [17] But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; [18] they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” [19] It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
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(originally 5-16-16 on Facebook; expanded on 3-22-20)
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