What is "legalism?" (Gospel, church, believe, salvation)

[kaykay]

This was mentioned recently on another thread, and I thought we might could talk about it specifically. What in your mind defines "legalism?" I guess the kaykay definition would go something like this --"legalism is striving to obey the letter of the law rather than the spirit or intent of the law." Does that make sense? I'm just kinda thinking out loud this afternoon. When does attempting to be righteous fall into "legalism?" Thoughts???

[cg81]

I'm glad you started this kaykay... I was thinking it would be a good idea for discussion..You beat me to it!

[Pathwalker]

That's pretty much what legalism is, Kaykay. One of my favorite quotes goes like this:

The essence of legalism is trusting in religious activity rather than trusting in God. It is placing our confidence in a practice rather than in a Person - and, without fail, this will lead us to love the practice more than the Person.

[johnrex62]

Your definition is a good one that I have observed often. Another is to manipulate text and context to derive a more preferential interpretation.

In the Graven Image thread we have almost surely gone there as we try to determine if the command is against all sculpted, carved or cast images or it is only against those type of images used for the purpose of idolatry. If we separate the parts of the verse and hold them as stand alone contexts, it is clear that all graven images are prohibited. If, however, we take these parts of the verse as a whole, then they are only prohibited when used or intend for use in specific ways.


I think either practice qualifies as a method of legalism, legalistically speaking of course.



Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[irishmom]

This is a great description: Legalism (theology): - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cg81]

Originally Posted by WCRob

The essence of legalism is trusting in religious activity rather than trusting in God. It is placing our confidence in a practice rather than in a Person - and, without fail, this will lead us to love the practice more than the Person.

Good quote. And someone who is legalistic will often find a "loophole" in the practice... resulting in contradictions. If the spirit is kept, there shouldn't be contradictions. (altho none of us is perfect!)

[yhwhshalomjr]

So does this mean that we don't have to keep the ten commandments anymore;
And those who are concerned with them being taken out of our schools are Legalistic?
Just asking you to help me understand..
I love you guys!!!

[bigthirsty]

So is keeping the Sabbath holy being legalistic?

[cg81]

Originally Posted by yhwhshalomjr

So does this mean that we don't have to keep the ten commandments anymore;
And those who are concerned with them being taken out of our schools are Legalistic?
Just asking you to help me understand..
I love you guys!!!

Well, in some instances the "ten commandments" were expanded on... for example, we shouldn't bow down to a literal idol, but that has to do with our worship.. we still shouldn't bow down to anything but God.. our work, our family, peer pressure, the almighty dollar, etc. The old law wasn't abolished, but fulfilled. Big difference.

[yhwhshalomjr]

Originally Posted by kaykay

This was mentioned recently on another thread, and I thought we might could talk about it specifically. What in your mind defines "legalism?" I guess the kaykay definition would go something like this --"legalism is striving to obey the letter of the law rather than the spirit or intent of the law." Does that make sense? I'm just kinda thinking out loud this afternoon. When does attempting to be righteous fall into "legalism?" Thoughts???

What Is Legalism?



John W. Robbins





Legalism is the notion that a sinner can, by his own efforts, or by the power of the Holy Spirit in his life, do some work to obtain or retain his salvation. Some legalists think man has free will and can perform good works if he just sets his mind to it, thereby obtaining the favor of God. This type of legalist thinks that a sinner can believe the Gospel on his own steam. Other legalists think that a sinner does not have free will, that any good he does is done by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him, and it is these good deeds done by the power of the Holy Spirit that obtain or help obtain, retain or help retain, his salvation. Both types of legalists, but especially the latter, may acknowledge that Christ's work of obedience is necessary for salvation, but both deny that Christ's work is sufficient for salvation. Both types of legalists assert that to Christ's work must be added the works of the sinner, done either under his own steam, or by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is what makes them legalists: their shared belief in the incompleteness or insufficiency of the work of Christ outside of them. They may differ on what constitutes good works; they may differ on whether only God's law or church law as well is to be obeyed; but they agree that the work of Christ alone is insufficient for their final salvation.