Methodological problems of church-sect theory’s application in the study of history of religion

Abstract

The prospects of using church-sect theory in the study of religious movements are
considered. Thus the problem of hermeneutic circle arises but opportunities for solving it
on the basis of Govard Becker’s «constructive typology» and Ewa Domanska’s ideas are
shown. The link between different classification criteria, used for church-sect theory. Based
on Aleksandr Zinovyev’s defining the concept of social principles and Karl Popper’s
«falsifiability», an opportunity for an empirical test for the validity of church-sect theory is
described. It is established which sizes of religious groups (denomination in general or their
individual communities) could be the objects of the study within the framework of the sect-
church theory.
Keywords: church-sect theory, hermeneutic circle, constructive types, falsifiability,
universal church