From bas@texoma.net Mon Jan 20 09:49:03 1997 Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 14:25:59 -0600 (CST) From: bas@texoma.net To: Bulletins and Sermons maillist Subject: "Legalism - What's That?" Article addendum ************************************************* Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 12:15:08 -0600 (CST) To: BAS@texoma.net From: montexn@ism.net Subject: "Legalism - What's That?" Article addendum A few weeks ago I posted this article by brother Jim Dubcak. Since that time brother Dubcak informed me of a footnote addendum to that article giving credit to another author for certain thoughts which were instrumental in the article. I am including the amended article and footnote information below: >" . . . since the initial writing I have made a couple of revisions >that must be made to the article. A copy of the article with the >appropriate revisions is attached. The primary revision concerns a >footnote that at the time of writing seemed unnecessary, but since the >original writing a footnote has been deemed necessary. Information for >the article was taken from my personal notes while I was in preaching >school. It happens that some of the information given appears in a >book my instructor recently published ("Piloting the Strait" by Dave >Miller (it is an excellent book)) and I wish to give him the proper >credit. If necessary I may be reached at: >Jim Dubcak >1632 Weyland Dr. Apt. 2033 >North Richland Hills, TX 76180-7731 >email: dubcak@flash.net >(817)428-7537 >The following is the articlerevised: > Legalism? What's That? > Jim Dubcak As the battle rages between "liberals" and "conservatives" the term "legalist" often rears it's head. What exactly does it mean when someone calls you a "legalist?" It means, one that pays too much attention to obeying details; too strict with the details of scripture. In other words, when someone calls you a "legalist" they are saying you are too obedient to God's word. Ask yourself. In what period of time has being too obedient to God's word been bad?! Adam and Eve had few commandments, Genesis 1:28; 2:17. Do you think that they could have been too obedient? Moses was told "see that you make all things according to the pattern," Exodus 25:40; Hebrews 8:5. We are told, "if you love Me you will keep My commandments," John 14:15; 15:14; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 6 (mind you this is the apostle of "love" writing), also cf. Revelation 1:3, 22:7. In these passages, love is reflected in obedience and apparently directly proportional to it. Finally, ask Nadab and Abihu if they thought they were being sufficiently obedient to God's commands, Leviticus 10:1-2? Their lack of obedience cost them their lives, and all they had wrong was the fire! Now what do you think when somone tells you, "You are a legalist, just like thosePharisees whom Jesus condemned!"? > Did you know that the term "legalism" or "legalist" is not even found in the Bible? How then do we establish what legalism is? Jesus did condemn the Pharisees for something, but it was definitely not strict adherence to the Old Law. Take a look at Matthew 23, and see just what it was that Jesus condemned. 1. Hypocrisy*, Matthew 23:4; They would bind burdens on others that they themselves would not so much as lift a finger to move. 2. Pride and the vain glory of life, Matthew23:5-7. a. They pinned on themselves large phylacteries. The phylacteries were the result of a misinterpretation of Deuteronomy 6:4-6, where God told the Isrealites they were to make certain principles part of their innermost lives. b.The Pharisees sought to draw attention to themselves in seeking the chief seats, but Jesus commanded otherwise, Luke 14:7-14. c. They like to be called "Rabbi." They exalted themselves, however the Bible commands humility, Matthew 23:8-12; Proverbs 6:17; Luke 18:14; James 4:10. 3. They omitted protions of the Law*, Matthew 23:23. Look at the following references to see what God does require, Micah 6:8; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Samuel 15:22. 4. They misinterpreted and misapplied Scripture*, Matthew 5:17-48; Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:1-13. In order to avoid having to take care of thier parents, the Pharisees invented the saying, "Corban," meaning it is dedicated to the temple, and thus alliviated themselves from providing for thier families, which was commanded under the Old Law, as well as the New Law, Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 20:12, 21:17; 1 Timothy 5:8. From the four points above, which of them reflects the definition of "legalism," as used today? Obviously, none of them do. A further accusation by those who would say that obedience to God's word is "legalistic," would go on to say that those who are legalistic are immature, thus, implying that those who are non-legalistic are the mature Christians. However, from our examination of true "legalism," condemned by Christ, it is obvious that such is not the case. In reality, when you are accused of being too "legalistic," what is really being said is that you are too "obedient." You can be accepted by God and not have to do all those little things, but from the references cited we have seen that is not he case. Thus, let us all strive to be more faithful to the Lord, and if the world calls us "legalistic," let us realize they are complimenting us for our obedience. ~JD *These points were taken from notes in Dave Miller's Ethics Class at the Browntrail School of Preaching in the fall term of 1995. >Jim Dubcak > Thanks for letting me post this revision of a good and pertinent article. In His Service, Jody W. Durham, Evangelist Ronan church of Christ 717 Hwy 93 S Ronan, Montana 59864 Phone: (406) 676-8555 or 676-2360 Email: montexn@ronan.net Website: http://www.ronan.net/~montexn/church.html