What is a legalist?

[evangelist6589]

I was described as one yesterday which would be a first. I'll bet I was taken out of context or misunderstood in the area of evangelism as being WOTM Only, when I have told this person and others more than 50 times that I am WOTM preferred. The LAW is a very powerful way to evangelize and what I default too in conversations but by no means is it the only way to do evangelism. Other reasons why I am a legalist may be associated to my view on alcohol which by the way is the Biblical view and that held also by John Piper. But this thread is not abut alcohol, but about legalism.

In my def a legalist is someone with a list of do's and dont's. Someone who uses ONLY the King James Version of the Bible, someone who only thinks that traditional hymns are the ONLY way to worship God, someone who thinks that tithing is for today, when the Bible clearly teaches Free-Will giving in the NT, and so on. So what is a legalist?

 

[JonShaff]

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.

 

[Deacon]

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

Rob

 

[Salty]

A legalist is someone who is more legalistic than you

 

[blessedwife318]

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.

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[InTheLight]

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

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...."


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[JonShaff]

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

 

[Rob_BW]

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

 

[OnlyaSinner]

A legalist is someone who is more legalistic than you

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.

 

[JonShaff]

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

 

[JonC]

When I use the term "legalism" I mean a "strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit".

Some define legalism as taking a "letter of the law" stance in opposition by restricting some action (e.g., it is a sin to drink alcohol because Scripture says...). Others seek a "letter of the law" justification for an action they enjoy (e.g., it is permissible to drink alcohol because Scripture says...). One stance is no less legalistic than the other.

What makes a person legalistic is not the activities endorsed or condemned, but the manner with which they hold Scripture. If I hold it as a rule book,either justifying my desires or condemning the actions of others, then I am missing the focus of God's Word....which is not prescriptive rules or justifications of actions,but God Himself.

 

[Rolfe]

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

 

[Yeshua1]

I was described as one yesterday which would be a first. I'll bet I was taken out of context or misunderstood in the area of evangelism as being WOTM Only, when I have told this person and others more than 50 times that I am WOTM preferred. The LAW is a very powerful way to evangelize and what I default too in conversations but by no means is it the only way to do evangelism. Other reasons why I am a legalist may be associated to my view on alcohol which by the way is the Biblical view and that held also by John Piper. But this thread is not abut alcohol, but about legalism.

In my def a legalist is someone with a list of do's and dont's. Someone who uses ONLY the King James Version of the Bible, someone who only thinks that traditional hymns are the ONLY way to worship God, someone who thinks that tithing is for today, when the Bible clearly teaches Free-Will giving in the NT, and so on. So what is a legalist?

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!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

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

I will drink to dat!

 

[evangelist6589]

When I use the term "legalism" I mean a "strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit".

Some define legalism as taking a "letter of the law" stance in opposition by restricting some action (e.g., it is a sin to drink alcohol because Scripture says...). Others seek a "letter of the law" justification for an action they enjoy (e.g., it is permissible to drink alcohol because Scripture says...). One stance is no less legalistic than the other.

What makes a person legalistic is not the activities endorsed or condemned, but the manner with which they hold Scripture. If I hold it as a rule book,either justifying my desires or condemning the actions of others, then I am missing the focus of God's Word....which is not prescriptive rules or justifications of actions,but God Himself.

Explain.

Why is my preferred evangelism method legalistic?

Why is enjoying a beverage legalistic?

 

[InTheLight]

Why is enjoying a beverage legalistic?

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.

 

[Rob_BW]

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?

 

[evangelist6589]

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.

No that's not what I am saying! I am saying that they are in error and my position is more biblical but by no means do I earn more favor with God for he may strike me with a disease or dead even for having a more biblical position!

 

[blessedwife318]

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.


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[JonC]

Explain.

Why is my preferred evangelism method legalistic?

Why is enjoying a beverage legalistic?

The method and the enjoyment themselves are not legalistic, and I never said that they were. I said that you, not the method or drinking, are legalistic.