September 11, 2024

Understanding Legalism

Jewish Rulers Take Counsel Against Jesus

For many religious people, the term legalism has a strong negative connotation. Yet others may be unfamiliar with it. To be fair, it is not a term found in the Bible. Instead, it has been coined to describe a certain approach to the Bible.

Legalism is associated with the idea of strictness, narrow-mindedness, and being judgmental. The Pharisees are the classic example of “legalists.” However, while the Pharisees may have been strict, narrow-minded, and judgmental, there was more to them than that. At times, they justified certain sins and acts of disobedience, including the refusal to help their aged parents in need (Matthew 15:3-6). At other times, Jesus rebuked them for what could be described as spiritual mediocrity as they hypocritically taught others to do what they refused to do (Matthew 23:2-4) and presented an appearance of holiness while being spiritually corrupt in their hearts (Matthew 23:27-28).

Just as there is more to the Pharisees than the common stereotype, I believe there is more to “legalism” than the popular concept of it.Continue Reading

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July 1, 2006

The Spirit of the Law vs. The Letter of the Law

American Law Digests

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:29).

In these verses we see the contrast between the “Spirit” and the “letter.” This topic comes up in discussions with liberal brethren regarding their departure from the New Testament pattern. Those brethren use these verses to justify their practices and condemn so-called “legalism.”
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August 1, 2005

Baptism – A Requirement of God or Man?

Baptism

Recently on the radio I heard a Baptist preacher talking about legalism – the binding of man’s requirements instead of, or in addition to, God’s requirements. We are warned in the New Testament not to do this. Jesus told His apostles they were to bind things that had already been bound in heaven (Matthew 16:19). They were not at liberty to bind anything else. On the other hand, He also commanded them to teach those who obeyed the gospel to “observe all that [He] commanded” (Matthew 28:20). So those who teach are to instruct others of their responsibility to do everything required of them in God’s word. But they go too far and become guilty of legalism when they place additional requirements on others that are not required by our Lord.
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