SCHISM

A rent or fissure; generally used in the New Testament to denote a division within the Christian church, by contentions and alienated affections, without an outward separation into distinct bodies, 1Co 1:10-12 12:25,26. The sin may lie on the side of the majority, or of the minority, or both. It is a sin against Christian love, and strikes at the heart of Christianity, Joh 17:21 Ro 12:4-21.

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Schism. Schism
A separation, an alienation causing divisions among Christians, who ought to be united (1 Cor. 12:25).

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schism. Schism, n. a separaton, a division in the church

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Schism (?), n. [[OE. scisme, OF. cisme, scisme, F. schisme, L. schisma, Gr. σχίσμα, fr. σχίζειν to split; akin to L. scindere, Skr. chid, and prob. to E. shed, v.t. (which see); cf. Rescind, Schedule, Zest.]] Division or separation; specifically (Eccl.), permanent division or separation in the Christian church; breach of unity among people of the same religious faith; the offense of seeking to produce division in a church without justifiable cause. Set bounds to our passions by reason, to our errors by truth, and to our schisms by charity. Eikon Basilike. Greek schism (Eccl.), the separation of the Greek and Roman churches. — Great schism, or Western schism (Eccl.) a schism in the Roman church in the latter part of the 14th century, on account of rival claimants to the papal throne. — Schism act (Law), an act of the English Parliament requiring all teachers to conform to the Established Church, — passed in 1714, repealed in 1719.