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Legalism

Dear Al


My friends say I am a legalist, what is legalism?
Martha


Dear Martha


The words legalist and legalism are among the most badly abused words evangelicals
use. They are used as terms of abuse. Generally, we use them to describe anyone
whose beliefs seem a bit stricter than ours. This is a complete misuse of the word. It is
possible to be very strict in belief and behaviour and not be a legalist: it is equally possible
to be very liberal in belief and behaviour and yet be a legalist.


What then is a legalist? Strictly, a legalist in the NT was anyone who added another
condition to salvation and acceptance with God apart from faith in Christ. If you claim that
to be a Christian you need Christ plus keeping the commandments then you are a legalist.
If you say to be a Christian you need Christ plus membership of some church then you are
a legalist. When we add to faith in Christ something extra we must do to be a Christian,
then we are guilty of legalism.


There is a second sense in which we can be a legalist or at least have a legalistic mindset.

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About John

Hi there - I am a member of Greenview and have been for over 20 years. For a number of these years I functioned as an elder, however, indifferent health forced me to take more of a back seat. I see this as an opportunity to do a little writing, often focussing on issues that are a matter of evangelical debate today. Naturally the views expressed are my own and may not reflect the views of the elders or church at large, though differences are likely to be in the detail and not the substance.

These articles and sermons were written partly to clarify my own thoughts and partly with the intention of provoking thought in others who may read them. If you read one I hope you find it stimulating. Please feel free to give me feedback or discuss my articles in the forums.

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