The worldwide Church of God: a study of sectarian evolution

Perry, Philip Francis (1978) The worldwide Church of God: a study of sectarian evolution. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The Worldwide Church of God had its beginnings in the early thirties and since that time it has experienced considerable change. Upon close examination, I have found that this change is not random, but orderly and consistent. I have labelled it sectarian evolution. -- I studied this process by examining examples of change in many major doctrinal areas of the Worldwide Church God such as tithing, healing, Sabbath observance, etc. I concluded that significant change had occurred and that the Worldwide Church of God is moving toward a “church-type religious organization in contrast to a “sect-type”. -- On the basis of my investigation of the many areas of Worldwide Church of God sectarian evolution I formulated an explanation of its cause. I found that the need for a religious sect to remain in a workable state is the basic reason why constant change is necessary. -- A pivotal area which I concentrated on in the latter stages of the thesis is concerned with the Worldwide Church of God remains united and how it maintains a growing membership in the face of ongoing sectarian evolution.

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