Partyism

By Gene Frost

       A party is “a group of people working together to establish or promote particular theories or principles of government which they hold in common'. This is a legitimate function in our political system, and has some merit. However, in churches of Christ it is a pernicious evil which is identified as heresy, the particular theories being positions of error, around which some rally, as distinguished from the truth which all are to promote. (1 Tim. 3:15)

          Partyism is condemned in the word of God because it destroys spiritual life, promotes division, and advances the cause of Satan. Since it not only is a constant threat to the cause of Christ and unity among brethren, but seems to be a persistent problem, we need to understand what characterizes it. The following are a few thoughts on the subject.

          1. Partyism necessitates a system of teaching.

          In the process of growing spiritually, we work our way through errors, which for a time are accepted only to be discarded upon further study and contemplation. These wrong conclusions generally are of no great import as far as affecting our progress in faith, worship, and practice, or affecting others in the same. Parties are not formed around an isolated error. R. L. Whiteside has stated the case so well:

          “Perhaps we all have some wrong ideas, yet few of us frame these into a system, a philosophy of God's plan. ... When a lot of errors have been reduced to a system, then you have the seed of a new party, and the fruit will come if that seed is cultivated. I think here is the ground for serious reflection. … There is a vast difference between holding a few errors and formulating a doctrinal system. A religious party is not built on a few isolated errors; it must have a system, a scheme of things, different from others; and just as certainly as people rally around a new scheme, a new system, just that certainly will a new party eventually be formed.

          “It is possible for a man to create a personal following and by his power hold them together for a time as a party; but that party will pass away with him unless he or they formulate a system of doctrines. If he formulates that system and has enough opposition for his sympathizers to feel that he is a martyr, they will hold to it all the more tenaciously.'”²

       2. Partyism cultivates prejudice.

          A prejudice is “a judgment or opinion held in disregard of facts that contradict it.”³ Those who possess a party spirit are willing to consider only what favors their opinions. Those who differ are condemned without a hearing. The case is ably stated by a Dr. Wylie in the pages of the Millennial Harbinger of 1840:

       “You read nothing but your own books, you love only what favors your own opinions; those who differ from you, you condemn without a hearing. Now the only step towards reconciling the different religious sects would be to reverse this absurd and uncandid practice, and every one to read on all disputed points what has been advanced on the opposite side from that which he has embraced. Political partisans may be pardoned, perhaps, for patronizing those papers which advocate the principles of the party, and the blind devotees of the party may be pitied, if they read nothing from presses on the other side; because men's worldly interests are all that is concerned in the case: but what apology can be offered for those who follow the same miserable course in matters of religion — a thing into which worldly interests and party feelings ought never to enter? When men allow themselves to look at the opinions and persons of their fellow-Christians ... through the distorted and discolored medium of the writings of their own heated and prejudiced controversialists, and refuse to read or hear anything in their defense, they act as absurdly as would a jury who, after hearing the lawyers on behalf of the prosecution, should stop their ears, so as not to hear a syllable that might be said in vindication of the accused. What, in such a case, must be their verdict we all know.”⁴

       3. Partyism dictates a party mentality.

       The cause of the party is the most important consideration, even overshadowing personal integrity. The position the members hold in common is more important than areas wherein they disagree. There follows a tolerance for false positions held by other party members, a tolerance that does not reach to others.

       A particular instance within the experience of this writer illustrates the party mentality. A covetous “gospel preacher” (and note I put it in quotes) was promoting a doctrine and practice so unrighteous that he was publicly censured by the ministerial alliance of his city. An article, citing this conduct without even a mention of the guilty preacher's name, was rejected on the basis that he might be identified by the reference and fuel the opposition. After all, the editor explained, he is with us on the issues!

       4. Partyism relaxes discipline.

       Akin to the above, when one is a faithful member of the party immorality that would receive swift rebuke on the part of others is overlooked or covered for the party member. We have seen brethren, not members of the party, “written up” for a far less serious mistake than that of grievous conduct by a party member, whose flagrant sins are overlooked.

       Perhaps it is considered “punishment enough” that his name be quietly removed from the masthead of the party's journal! Alexander Campbell expressed this inconsistency so well:

       “But the spirit of sectarianism is not the spirit of Christianity; nay, indeed, it is contrary to it. It goes for the party, and con-fines its charities and its benevolence to the little circle of its own speculative peculiarities. Moral and Christian excellence is not the circumference of the circle of partisan views and affections. The last thing in the world for which the champion of sectarian orthodoxy contends are the moral virtues and excellencies of the Christian character. I have not yet found the history of that sect whose distinguishing badge is Christian morality.”⁵

       5. Partyism consecrates both men and theories, which have no sacred character.

       Human doctrines are elevated and honored with equal, and even surpassing, fervor as the inspired text. Those who join the party are honored as “the faithful” of God, whose personal knowledge and piety may be less than faithful by God's standard.

       6. Partyism produces division, while shifting the blame.

       The party platform is accepted by the party devotees as the standard of orthodoxy. Acceptance of the party is equated with faithfulness to God, while all opposition is regarded as attacks upon truth. Those who are critical of the peculiar doctrines of the party are accused of fomenting division, and the issue is shifted from the doctrines under question to that of fellowship!

       Foy E. Wallace, Jr., confronting the premillennialists in the 1930's wrote: “Shifting the blame for division has been the common effort of all innovationists, schismatics, and dividers of churches, since the church began. The innovators never cause division, 0, no! it is always the opposition!”⁶

       If the introduction of error is not checked before it brings about division, it is not the opposition which is responsible for the miserable results but the innovators. The cause of division is false teaching and not the opposition to it. Love for truth demands opposition; opposition is an effect of error; division is the result when men of error refuse to submit to truth and lead others away from it to form their separate party.

Partyism Identified

       Partyism never wants to appear to be what it is. Party leaders do not think of themselves as heads of a party, but instead as the advance guard of the faithful. They will bring into their public exposure men who do not share their peculiar views, yet who will not oppose them either, to offset any criticism by those who detect the party spirit. Yet the party spirit is recognizable by its fruits, principally by the loyalty of those who embrace a system of theology which will not open itself to public examination, but will in turn use every carnal means to silence the opposition. This suggests an immediate remedy, namely a demand for open, honorable examination with the word of God of every issue. When a party refuses to expose its system of doctrines for open examination, to engage in exchange of study, yet demanding loyalty under the threat of public embarrassment (of being “written up”), know of a certainty that the party spirit is at work. Recognizing it for what it is, encourage it not. To be intimidated for fear of public humiliation is to strengthen the party and en-courage the fruits of partyism.

       Now, as always, the cause of our Lord needs men who are strong and courageous, not in word alone but in deed. Strengthen not the hands of evil doers, even those who appear so pious, good, and kind.

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1 - Webster^'s New World Dictionary, page 1037.

2 - R. L. Whiteside, “Martyrs Are Made,^” The Present Truth (Foy E. Wallace, Jr.), page 428.

3 - Webster's New World Dictionary, page 1122.

4 - Dr. Wylie, “Sectarianism Is Heresy,^” Millennial Harbinger, June 1840, page 258.

5 - Alexander Campbell, “Morality of Christians,” Millennial Harbinger, June 1840, page 273.

6 - Foy E. Wallace, Jr., ^“Must Heresy Be Fellowshipped?^”, The Present Truth, page 371.

Gospel Anchor (February 1985)