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Radical Christian Living  /  The Spirit of Sectarianism  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
Bercot highlights the Restoration Movement’s motto (“We speak where the Scriptures speak…”) and then shows how it devolved into being “the one true church,” splitting over instrumental music while dropping commands like head covering, holy kiss, holy hands, and enemy-love; what do those examples suggest about how movements lose their original spiritual aim, and what concrete steps could you take personally to remove “every vestige” of sectarian spirit—especially in the way you treat Christians you expect to see “in the world beyond the grave”?
Another way to ask: How do movements that start with “just follow Scripture” end up acting like “the one true church” and splitting over smaller issues? What specific steps can you take to root out a divisive, us-versus-them spirit toward Christians you believe you’ll meet in heaven?

Direct Answer The examples suggest movements lose their aim when they shift from unity and obedient love to proving they alone are “the perfect New Testament church,” focusing on correct forms and disputes; personally, Bercot urges choosing peace with all true Christians, majoring on love, and refusing to make non-scriptural inferences into barriers to communion.

Support from Transcript:

  • Restoration began with unity: Thomas Campbell said divisions end “in the grave,” and urged ending “short-lived divisions here,” receiving one another as Christ received us.
  • The plan was: impose nothing as “terms of communion” except what is “expressly taught and commanded” in Scripture; inferences are not “formally binding” on others’ consciences.
  • Bercot says the movement failed because the vision changed to “let’s restore the perfect New Testament church,” claiming “we’re the one true church,” so “you guys aren’t” the body.
  • He lists how they split over instrumental music (where “the Bible is silent”) and also dropped New Testament practices: head covering, holy kiss, raising holy hands, and even early teaching on enemy-love/nonresistance and rejecting war.
  • For personal steps, he points to William Law: be in “full union and hearty fellowship with everything that is Christian… in every other church,” and judge “proof” by being “dead to all sin and alive to all righteousness.” He also says to believe Jesus’ two greatest commandments and Matthew 25: Judgment is not a “doctrinal quiz,” but about love shown.
Discussion Follow-ups What “silent” issues tempt you to draw lines of communion? How might your relationships change if you regularly asked, “Do I expect to meet this Christian in heaven?”

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