Spiritual Christianity

Molokan men

The Molokans are a sect that has been compared to the Radical Reformation and to the Quakers.[3] They have a Protestant-like view of the authority of scripture, however interpreting the bible allegorically or "spiritually", they see the sacraments "spiritually", reject the use of icons, images of the cross and Church hierarchy along with venerating the saints.[9][10][11][12][13] The Molokans advocate for pacifism, congregate in their own homes, do not drink or smoke, oppose contraception and modern technology.[14][3] The Molokans follow the Old Testament laws, refusing to eat Pork, shellfish or unclean foods, they additionally refused to obey Orthodox mandates on fasting.[15] There are still around 40.000 Molokans in Russia.[12]

Unlike many other Spiritual Christians, the Molokans reject the existence of new prophets.[16]

Mokrye Molokane are a Molokan subsect that split off the Molokans in 2000ad that is nearly identical to the Molokans but practice water baptism.[4]

Sukhie Baptisty was a 19th-century Spiritual Christian movement,[17] which was born from Molokans who merged with the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians. They were called "dry baptists", because they refused to baptize believers in physical water, but instead believing in a "baptism of the spirit", insisting that baptism was a purely spiritual experience instead of a physical one.[18] Very few dry Baptists still exist in Georgia.[19]

Molokan-Adventisty are a hybrid sect of Molokans and Seventh Day Adventists, the sect was born because of German Adventist missionaries in the 20th century.[4]

The Pryguny (translation: Jumpers) were formed from several non-Orthodox sectarian movements. While most Molokans held to the supreme authority of scripture, the Pryguny embraced Old Testament holidays, new prophecies and ecstatic worship. They have some similarities to Pentecostalism.[4][20]

The Dukhobors were an 18th-century Spiritual Christian movement that opposed all external authorities, even the Bible, instead being in favour of direct individual revelation. They abolished priests and sacraments, were pacifists and opposed the authority of church and state.[21]

Around 15-20k Dukhobors still exist in Russia.[12]

Sons of Freedom were an extremist group born from the Dukhobors that have nudist parades and burn government property because of their hostility to material.[21]

The Khlysts were are 17th century sect that left the Russian Orthodox church, they held extremely ascetic views, the Khlyst sect became extinct during the Soviet Union.[22] The Khlysty imposed self denial and focused on the reception of the Holy Spirit through constant prayer, they were denounced as "Quaker heretics" and practices such as ecstatic forms of worship, rhythmic dancing, chants and celibacy resembled the practice of the Shakers.[23] The Khlyst practices also resembled Pentecostal sects.[24] C. L. Sulzberger, in 1977, claimed that Rasputin "adopted the philosophy (if not proven membership)" of the Khlysts.[25]

Postniki were a sect that was born out of the Khlysts.[26] They emphasized ascetism.[27]

The Postiniki branched into Staroizrail and New Israel.[26]

The Skoptsy was a sect that originally split off from the Khlysts, they no longer exists, however they had a high following in the 19th century. The sect believed that forgiveness of sin came through castration, the sect ultimately being destroyed by Stalin. Some have reported that the Skoptsy sect still exists with small numbers, but there is no serious proof for it. Nevertheless, a few individuals still have similar beliefs in Russia.[28]

The Skoptsy believed that when enough people have joined them, Jesus would return.[29]

New Israel came to resemble Protestantism and the Dukhobors much more than Staroizrail, the New Israel movement rejects the Orthodox religious practices and aims to "worship God in spirit and truth".[30] Because many adherents of the movement moved to Uruguay, the movement still exists in Uruguay.[31]

The Shalaputs were a radical reform movement in Imperial Russia during 1830-1890 AD. They demanded that sinful people should not be allowed to attend Church meetings (Novatianism), and opposed the formalism of Orthodoxy. They also emphasized the Jewish roots of Christianity. The Shalaputs became an evangelical movement made up of peasants who wanted to create their own version of Christianity that opposed Russian Orthodoxy.[32]

Dukh-i-zhizniki is a still existing Spiritual Christian movement that was born from mixtures of Spiritual Christian faiths, however the Dukh-i-zhizniki can be classified as a cult. Dukh-i-zhizniki were started by Maksim G. Rudomyotkin who claimed to be a prophet.[16]