Separation That Leads to Isolation

From William D @ http://reformingbaptist.blogspot.com

Fundamentalists pride themselves on their purity due to their strict principles and disciplines of separation. It goes like this: "If you don't agree with me on every doctrine in scripture, then I must separate from you as if you are being disobedient to God." There is no room for different views on issues that are not essential to salvation. The result of this secondary and third degree separation leads to total isolation. When I go to some IFB conferences, it's amazing for me to see how they have no idea what is going on in the Christian world. They automatically think that everyone that isn't in their group use Christian rock in church, hold hands with men at Promise Keepers, and have sold out to Purpose Drivenism. They have no idea what the difference is between conservative Evangelicalism, new-evangelicalism, or the Emerging church. To the fundamentalist, they're all the same. Because of this thinking, they refuse to read or listen to preaching by anyone else that is outside of their group. The rational is explained this way: "They are not going where I am going, so why should I read anything by them? I don't want to arrive where they are." This thinking tends to separate one's self from all other Christians to the point of isolation. This is just as dangerous as the practice of interbreeding, the offspring become weak and anemic.

Scripture clearly teaches to separate over sin and unbelief not preferences and standards. Take the following examples of scripture. Each one deals with sin, and disobedience to God.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 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. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.