[Greek] σχίσμα (schisma), [Latin] scissura, [Latin] scisma, [Latin] dissensio, [Latin] secta: split, division, tear, gap, division; Mt.9:16, Mk.2:21, Jn.7:43, Jn.9:16, Jn.10:19, 1Cor.1:10, 1Cor.11:18, 1Cor.12:25
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means division of opinion, leaving aside, split, division, shattering, separation, and fraction.
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.17: “We leave the Ionians’ opinion aside, and our own judgment about the matter is this: Egypt is all that country which is inhabited by Egyptians.”
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 623: “It is not easy to conceal when true and good are split apart.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 7.219: “The Hellenes then took counsel, but their opinions were divided.”
Old Testament: This term means split, cleaving, division, break, tear, and a calling out.
New Testament: This term means tear and division.
Mt.9:16: “No one patches an old cloak with a piece of un-shrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.” (This parable speaks of the unsuitability of attempting to combine the old and the new. Jesus’ teaching is not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of the Mosaic Law. Jesus seeks to fulfill the Old Testament.)
Jn.7:43: “So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him.” (Some thought that Jesus was the Messiah, a Prophet, a blasphemer, or a criminal.)
Jn. 9:16: “So some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How can a sinful man do such signs?’ And there was division among them.” (Jesus’ words had confused and angered the Jews. Jesus healed a blind man on the sabbath. The Pharisees saw Jesus as a sinful man [not from God] who would break the sabbath law by performing this healing. The Pharisees even questioned if the man was originally blind.)
Jn.10:19: “Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words.” (The Jews were disturbed by Jesus’ words in referring to God as His Father and laying down His life for His sheep. Some could not accept His teaching and walked away. Some said that Jesus was blasphemous or possessed.)
1Cor.11:18: “First of all, I hear that when you meet as a church there are divisions among you, and to a degree I believe it.” (Paul speaks to a spirit of discord and divisiveness in the Church. These pertain to different loyalties to ministers (Paul, Apollos or Peter), cliques/quarrels, and how the Lord’s Supper is celebrated.)
Etymology: The Latin schisma means split, separation, and schism. The Latin scissura means tearing and cleft. The Latin dissensio means disagreement, dissension, and rift. From past history, scissor meant tailor, carver, and cutter. “Oh scissors!” was a 19th century exclamation of impatience or disgust.
Update:
There are in fact Churches and denominations
The old torn cloth relates to pouring new wine in an old wineskin. Since the old wineskin cannot further expand any more (due to fermintation), it will burst. The Old cannot contain the new. Jesus’ teachings surpass the Old Covenant.
There continues to be a division as to what the resolution should be for the war between Ukraine and Russia. (Complete or partial reclaiming of Ukraine land?)
There remains division among voters about whether Trump and Biden should be the 2024 presidential nominees.
There continues a huge division as to what the Catholic Church should be: a traditional Church or a synodal Church?
Pope Francis and his inner circle and German bishops continue to introduce potentially heretical ideas as they create their synodal Church. (This is causing a schism in the Church). Some want to bless “same sex unions”!
Pope Francis and his inner circle, like the Nicolaitans, under the guise of “inclusion”, have permitted (and are permitting) pagan practices into the Mass. Remember the Pachamama idol fiasco on the Vatican grounds!
There is now a division in the Church regarding the acceptance of sin. Pope Francis and his inner circle, in their outreach to the LGBTQ community, seek to destigmatize and normalize homosexuality. Orthodox and traditional Catholics oppose this.
There is now a division within the Church regarding the notion of sin. Modernists advocate false compassion (tolerance, acceptance, and “inclusion”). Traditionalists advocate true compassion (acknowledgement of sin and conversion).
There is a now a division as to whether or not to accept Jesus’ proclamation: Jn.8:11: go and sin no more! Unfortunately, many Christians cannot agree that some actions are considered sinful.
Vatican II sought to makes changes to the Church to make it more “relevant” to the culture. Yet, in doing so this has created disastrous results for the Church and the faithful.
Pope Francis and his inner circle are changing the Church in their efforts to create a synodal Church. As a result, they are creating more confusion, problems, anxiety, syncretism, heretical creep, sacrilege, and generating anger from the faithful. Pope Francis is causing many problems for the faithful.
Cardinal Burke and Bishop Strickland warn that Pope Francis is risking confusion and even schism with the upcoming Synod on Synodality.
Some people think Bishop Strickland is causing schism by not following Pope Francis? This notion ignores reality. The public knows that Bishop Strickland is the one who is upholding tradition. Pope Francis is the one who is changing the Church. (How does one cause schism by upholding tradition?)
Pope Francis says a correct understanding of Catholic doctrine allows for change over time???
Aug 30: prostitution and harlotry: ancient history to the Old Testament culture
Sept 3: prostitution and harlotry: New Testament culture to the present