A book has been recently published in the USA entitled:
The Scandal of Schism
The author is Chris Anderson, who has been a pastor, church planter, and a missions catalyst around the world. He is the president of Church Works Media, an author, and a hymn-writer of well over 50 hymns.
The publishers’ ‘blurb’ on this book reads:
A Journey from Sinful Division to Biblical Fidelity
‘Is Christian unity a lost cause in today’s polarized world?
What if the greatest threat to Christianity comes from within?
The Scandal of Schism addresses these questions head-on, providing a balanced view of when separation is necessary and when it is sinful. In this book, Chris Anderson guides readers through the delicate task of maintaining church unity without compromising on truth. This book emphasizes the importance of separating from those who promote error, cooperating with those who uphold the truth, and avoiding schisms that distort the gospel. Anderson’s narrative is both a memoir and a theological exploration, making a compelling case for a renewed commitment to biblical fidelity and loving unity. With personal insights and biblical wisdom, Anderson lays out a roadmap for Christians seeking to respond to division or difference with humility. Readers will find guidance and hope for fostering harmony in their own hearts as well as in their local churches.’
Now what does this quote taken from the above statement mean?
‘This book emphasizes the importance of separating from those who promote error, cooperating with those who uphold the truth, and avoiding schisms that distort the gospel.’
Well, we get an answer to that question from one whose name heads the list of endorsements — Dr Mike Barrett.
Here is his endorsement.
“This book is long overdue. I wholeheartedly recommend it—as an encouragement to recovering sectarians and an exhortation to those who will likely disagree. Anderson exposes his heart as he chronicles his journey from rigid separatism to a more balanced interpretation and application of biblical separation. Happily, there are many—myself included—that have taken the same journey. I have never considered myself to be a radical sectarian, but in the providence of God, I was born, raised, educated, and involved in ministering within extreme fundamentalist environments. Ironically and thankfully, it was in those places that I became thoroughly convinced of Calvinism and covenant/reformed theology. Consequently, I was suspect to some in fundamentalism and a token novelty to others. I serve now in a wider, yet conservative, evangelical environment without a guilty conscience and still believe in biblical separation. This book is not about my journey, but I so resonated with its message. In reading this book, you may find yourself either agreeing with Anderson or perhaps beginning a similar journey for yourself.”
—Michael Barrett, Senior Research Professor, Biblical Studies, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Please note this statement in Dr Barrett’s endorsement :—
‘Anderson exposes his heart as he chronicles his journey from rigid separatism to a more balanced interpretation and application of biblical separation. Happily, there are many —myself included—that have taken the same journey.’
The ‘rigid separatism’ from which Chris Anderson and Dr Barrett have journeyed, to take up a position of a ‘more balanced interpretation and application of biblical separation’, is that separation taught in the Word of God and which the Free Presbyterian Church here in Ulster has sought to adhere to since our founding in 1951.
Our sister church in the USA, the Free Presbyterian Church of North America, also has publicly aligned itself with the teaching of the Word of God set forth by the Articles of Faith of the Free Presbyterian Church here in Ulster.
It is to be noted that such was the position of Dr Mike Barrett when he was ordained as an elder in Greenville Free Presbyterian Church, in South Carolina.
He resigned his position as an elder and became, as he signs himself off – Senior Research Professor, Biblical Studies, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
That Seminary is a one of the many compromising ‘seats of learning’ which, for reasons of popularity and the accumulation of dollars needed to sustain this academic empire, follow the multitude of those who desire the esteem of the world and “the praise of men more than the praise of God,” John 12:43.
Here are links to various articles written to contend against the compromise of Dr Joel Beeke, who is a leader of this Seminary.
The following are by myself.
“Birds of a feather flock together!”
Dutch pastor insists he was right to ‘come out of the closet’.
Joel Beeke preaches for and publicly seeks closer links with sodomy-endorsing Dutch denomination!
Here are some very good articles by Pastor Ralph Ovadal.
The Downward Spiral of Dr. Joel Beeke’s Ministries Continues.
I would urge readers to search Pastor Ovadal’s most informative website – Pilgrims Covenant Church
Dr Barrett is repudiating the position he once swore to uphold before God and men but now deems such a position to be unbiblical and sectarian.
Furthermore, he is repudiating the position on ‘Separation’ of Bob Jones University, which it adhered to when he joined the staff.
Of course, BJU no longer believes what its founder, Dr Bob Jones Sr contended for, namely the Bible, whrn he sought to train men to go forth and to ‘earnestly contend’ for the Holy Scriptures.
Somersault
Dr Barrett has performed a most tragic theological and spiritual somersault, which he will deeply regret when he stands before the Saviour to give an account, as we all must do!
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. . . So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God,” Romans 14:10, 12.
1970s
Many years ago I spent a few weeks in Greenville Free Presbyterian Church, before the late Dr Alan Cairns took up the pastorate of that congregation. I met many precious Christians during that time. Among them was Mike Barrett and his wife, Sandra. That was in 1978 and we arranged a visit to Ulster in June of 1979 for brother Barrett and introduced him to some of our congregations.
Back then, we both firmly believed in the stance of the Free Presbyterian Church. Now he has abandoned that position while I have striven to ‘hold fast’, awaiting the return of the Saviour. He considers me a carnal sectarian schismatic, while his overthrowing the oath he made before God, makes him the obedient and loving Christian!
Sin can convince us ‘black is white and white is black’!
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21.
Backsliding away from God’s truth and losing one’s ‘first love’ is all too common today.
Sadly, backsliding is not ‘static’. I wonder what further visits to ‘by-path meadows’ Dr Barrett will yet take!!
Problem
The problem with him and his friend, Chris Anderson, is that they do not like the teaching of the Word of God which requires them to separate from, not only those who teach false doctrine, but also from those who are prepared to stay within the fellowship of an apostate denomination, under the instruction and in fellowship with such false teachers! By so doing, they undoubtedly give credence to and endorse such falsehoods and act in rebellion against the Lord.
God’s command on the issue of separation is very plain.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
We must have no yoking of ourselves with apostasy. We do that when we stay in an apostate denomination.
We are to have no fellowship with unrighteousness. That is what happens when a Christian stays in a church which has embraced unrighteousness.
We must have no communion with darkness. Again, we do that when we mingle amongst deniers of the light of the gospel and the unfruitful works of darkness.
We are to have no concord (agreement) with Belial, the wicked. Nor are we to have any part with an infidel or agreement with idols.
Now the person who does not obey these commands is be treated in a certain manner. The apostles set the treatment out clearly!
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:17-18.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed,” Galatians 1:6-9.
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us,” 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother,” 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away,” 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds,” 2 John 1:9-11.
One should note the emphatic repetitions in 2 Corinthians 6 and also Galatians 1. The Holy Spirit would have us note what is said on this matter.
Secondary Separation
What is taught in the above verses is termed ‘Secondary Separation’ and the compromisers amongst evangelicals today hate it. This compromise springs from their pursuit of ‘ecclesiastical empires’, that is, their ‘great congregations’ or their ‘superior schools and colleges’.
They cannot afford to offend those who do not like Biblical holiness and drive such away from their pews. Nor can they get on the wrong side of that camp from which they hope to recruit their students and the fees that come along with them!
Carnal Expediency
Their adopted position on the matter of their relationship with disobedient brethren is nothing to do with the teaching of the Bible on the issue. They have not come to a deeper more holy understanding of the Word of God. No! It is mere carnal expediency that promotes this position whereby they stay friends with everyone, irrespective of whether or not they walk in obedience to the Bible.
They would deny Scripture in order to make ‘disobedience of God’ appear as a virtue!
Mind and Will of God
Separation from all that is not of God is born out of conformity to the mind and will of God. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world,” 1 John 2:15-16.
The rejection of ‘secondary separation’ is all to do with the enhancing of their reputation with the world. They desire the praise and the plaudits of the world and those who seek common ground with today’s evil society. That is not God’s way or will for Christians.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:2.
Dr Peter Masters has written the following.
“Is Secondary Separation Right?”
The question arises – how should evangelicals who obey God’s call to stand apart treat fellow-evangelicals who refuse to do so? Should they maintain full fellowship, or stand apart from those who disobey? The latter is called secondary separation.
In the past, independent churches, Strict Baptist churches and Brethren assemblies in Britain have practically all held that secondary separation, often with great regret, is also our duty, but nowadays we hear pastors of such churches saying they do not believe in secondary separation. Some call it ‘hyper-separation’ and make it sound harsh and loveless. We have even heard it called ‘the sin of schism’.
If a minister in an apostate denomination is knowingly, wilfully and actively cooperating with false teachers we should have no fellowship with him, but if such a man is grieved by his non-evangelical colleagues, remonstrating with them, witnessing to them, and declining cooperation with them, then we must respect him, and be charitable. Perhaps he has never considered his position. We should certainly recognise him as a brother, fellowship with him privately, pray for him and persuade him to leave that denomination if we can.
However, we would be unable to share a platform with him, or ask him to preach for us, because that would endorse his apostate denomination and confuse God’s people. But we would not withdraw ourselves from him to the extent that we would from a wilfully disobedient evangelical minister who cooperates with his denominational false teachers.”
(Secondary Separation – When to Stand Apart from Biblical Error)
I recall Dr G Archer Weniger preaching on the subject, “The Fundamentalist and Ecumenicity” at the World Congress of Fundamentalists, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 17, 1976.
I would love to find a copy of that sermon amidst all of my computer documents. Sadly, many of the storage devices used back years ago are no longer compatible with modern computer systems.
But I will keep searching!
It is repeatedly taught in the Old Testament that anyone who touched that which was ‘unclean’, thereby rejecting God’s Word and suggesting that such an act was permissible, became unclean and must be treated by all as such until they underwent the procedure whereby they were cleansed. Any who touched the one so contaminated was themselves deemed unclean and must be avoided.
Is this not ‘secondary separation’?
David was of this mind! “Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity,” Psalm 6:8. To touch “the unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:17) is an act of iniquity!
Last Word
I will let the Saviour have the last word on this matter.
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” Revelation 3:20-22.
He Who was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” Hebrews 7:26, was also separate from the backslidden and disobedient!
Here Christ depicts Himself as having withdrawn to outside the door of the church of the Laodiceans because of their sinfulness. He was nigh to spewing them out of His mouth, verse 16.
Yes, in wonderful mercy, He desired to renew full fellowship with them again BUT ONLY on the grounds of their repentance and obeying Him once more.
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see,” verse 18.
He sets the basis of restored fellowship with those who consort with the world and sin.
Let us take note!
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
3rd April 2025