|
Two in a row. Amen and amen.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: April 03, 2005 00:20
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Legalism
David Miller wrote:
John defined legalism as:
It is the imposition of their interpretations upon others
and the elevation of their understanding to the status
of Ex-Cathedra.
John, do you consider the interpretation that salvation comes only through
Jesus Christ to be something that we should be legalistic about? Should we
impose this view upon others in this world or not?
John wrote:
We don't need to rid ourselves of rules and laws
-- what we need is fewer legalists !!!
I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that we need rules and laws but
that we should not have anyone who imposes these rules and laws upon others?
Do you consider Judges and our Judiciary to be legalists? Should they be?
I would love to hear others on this list answer these questions. Apparently
some here hate the idea of legalism and consider it something that is wrong.
===================================================================
Webster
has his dictionary, Thorndyke has his, and I have mine. In my
dictionary, legalism has nothing to do with obedience to Christ.
Following His teachings is expected of us as I made clear yesterday.
That is called obedience. His teachings, almost without exception were
to equip the saints, disciples, followers, whatever term you use, to walk in
obedience, whether given prior to the cross or subsequent to it. He came
to seek and save the lost and all His instructions educate us as to how to be
saved and how to avoid being lost.
Legalism, in my book, is the
unending list of rules laid down by men who claim to speak for Christ.
Examples would be that one must wear a suit and tie to "Worship
services", or women must wear dresses and not pants suits. Other
examples would be that only church members may take communion, only the pastor
can speak during the sermon, only the pastor can baptize a new convert, that
the deacons rule the church, that communion must be from a shared cup, that
whites worship in white churches and blacks worship in black churches, that
the Sunday school teacher must teach from the approved Sunday school teachers
book, and on and on. You get the idea I am certain. Big difference
between obedience and legalism, but apparently only if you use my
dictionary.
Terry
|
