Johannine sectarianism
Johannine sectarianism is the sharp distinction perceived to be made between the community and outsiders in the texts ascribed to the Johannine community; the Gospel of John and the First, Second and Third Epistles of John. The Johannine community was first described as sectarian in a 1972 paper by Wayne A. Meeks. The application of the sociological category of "sect" in Johannine studies has been criticised by many scholars, including Ruth Sheridan.