What is fundamentalism and legalism?

Attaining one's right standing before God (or righteousness) by obeying God's command is legalism. It always fails.

Christ calls us to His righteousness attained by grace through faith. Out of that righteousness, our response will be seeking to please our God through obedience.

The first is from the outside inward but the latter is from the inside out.

The hostorical term fundamentalism referred to believeing some orthodox doctrines, whihc most Baptists believe. Today's fundamentalism has an idea of Christ against Culture. That is the version of the Bible, clothes we wear (not talking about modesty) our hair styles: all this determines godliness. It is a cultural gospel. Sometimes it is biblical and other times adding to scripture.

 

Excellent question Neal!

Charlie,
I disagree. Legalism is taking something spoken of in Gods word and going above and beyond that which the scripture even command.

What you describe sounds more like Pelagianism or semi-Pelagianism.

My understanding of *Fundamentalism* is the taking of Gods word as literal and standing upon it.

 

Charlie, I look forward to more of your posts. I've never heard those terms defined that way.

Legalism is that Baptist pastor that says "the women in this church will wear dresses, or they better be up at this altar getting right with God." (Outward-in, as was stated).

Fundamentalism is "the Bible says sex outside of marraige is wrong, so sex outside of marraige is wrong."

 

Webster says;

Fundamentalism = a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as infallible to Christian life and teaching.

Infallible = 1 : incapable of error :
2 : not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint

Legalism = strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code.

 

I was a member of an Independent Baptist church in High School. Once I showed up for Visitation. I was wearing dockers with no socks. This was in the early '80s and was the style and the pastor gave me $5 to go buy some socks.

Later, he would preach about women in pants and that the men should wear suits to church. I think that this kind of view regarding clothing to be placing a stumbling block to the world coming to Christ.

Christ against Culture is a term I got from H. Richard Niehbuhr in his book Christ and Culture. Although I would not endorse all of his doctrine, this book is very good at investigating how the church looks at culture. At its extreme of Christ against Culture is the Amish who reject all of society's technological advances since the 17th century. Many fundamentalist congregations seek an idealistic 1950's culture in my opinion.

This is mostly true, but also includes such things as:
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• The doctrine of the Trinty
  The incarnation,
  virgin birth,
  subsitutionary atonement,
  bodily resurrection,
  ascension into Heaven and
  Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
  The new birth through regeneration of the Holy Spirit
  The resurrection of the saints to life eternal
  The resurrection of the ungodly to final judgment and eternal death
  The fellowship of the saints,who are the body of Christ;</font>

I think that most evangelicals adhere to these beliefs. But the term has come to be associated with other beliefs and practices including Dispensationalism. So, while I identify with the former, I do not adhere to the latter.
Charlie

 

Personally, I don't know about that; I tend to think we don't need to be "in style" in order to get the Word of God out.

 

But, Don, clothing is a hindrance. If someone is seeking God and comes to church in blue jeans and a T-Shirt, then he should not get dirty looks. Someone should be able to go to church on Easter and not feel that he is at a fashion show. I think our emphasis on clothing is sin. I think it is showing partiality.

Likewise, short hair is not godliness.

Women in normal clothing is not sin. I am not talking about being indecent, but all decent clothing should be acceptable.

Should a young man be sent to buy socks before he goes to Visitation?

I do not think God cares about clothing or hair styles.

Charlie