Featured What is a legalist?

A legalist is someone who thinks they will earn favor with God by doing something.

Dictionary.com's answer-
1.
strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.
2.
Theology.

1. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
2. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

I will add, legalists usually go above Scripture, meaning they add to the Word of God, in order to live out their preferences.

 

That and it's used in a derogatory way towards anyone that confronts you about questionable lifestyle choices.

Rob

 

A legalist can be on either side of an issue. For example I have been openly critized for not embracing "liberty" on issue in a church I used to go to. For example it was made very clear to me that since I was "free" to wear pants it was wrong for me to wear skirts to church (nevermind the fact I just like wearing skirts and dresses and this person knew I wore pants as well because of being on a coed softball team together. Also I was free to cut my hair short so why would I keep my hair long (maybe because I like long hair).
I losts track of how many times I was critiqued for not embracing the hot new liberty of thr hour. I got to the point where anytime something would come up I would just say don't impose your "libert"y on me. It was a huge weight off my shoulders to get away from that legalistic seeker sensitive church.

So to me legalism is both You Can't.... but also you must....

And for those of you not following along what started this thread is that JonC called Evangelist a legalist because Evan was getting angry and insulting people for not accepting his idea that one can please themselves for God's Glory.
It had nothing to do with WOTM.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

Awesome. Succinct and to the point.

To reduce it even further it could be said that a legalist is anyone who says to be a good Christian you need:

"Jesus, plus...."


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

i guess i could also add that a legalist thinks they can gain favor with God by NOT doing something...

 

A legalist is anyone who doesn't have a paid subscription to Relevant magazine.

 

The way I heard it was, if your standards are stricter than mine, you're a legalist. If less strict, you're a liberal.

However, #1 under "Theology" in #2 is right on target.

 

Works-Based *Sanctification* is something that usually goes under the radar.

 

A legalist is anyone who sees the pit-falls of alcohol consumption.

 

Someone who think that they come to God on their own terms, not on His, and that everyone else has to come their same way as h does!

 

I will drink to dat!

 

When you say that you drink to the glory of God and when you say that you want to show teetotalers that they are wrong you are stating that your drinking is better than teetotalers and that God likes it. You are trying to curry favor with God by drinking and you look down on people that don't drink as being in error.

That's legalism.

You're saying Jesus plus my drinking makes me a better Christian than others.

 

I'm not up on all of the -isms, but wouldn't that be more akin to antinomianism than legalism?

 

2 sides of the same coin. Both sides think what they do or don't do makes them more spiritual and therefore closer to God then those who don't or do X.

The legalistic seeker sensitive church I went to probably leaned toward antinomianism but in the end it just lead to rules.
Example at this church not using not "dressing down" on Sundays was looked down upon. Women not having short hair or men not having long hair was looked down upon.
Not reading the latest pop book in Christian culture was looked down upon.
Things most of us would figure were choices became unspoken requirements and those that didn't fall in line were taken to task for not being seeker friendly enough.


Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk