Why don't you show it to St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, and see what that gets you, Lance? Izzy
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lance Muir Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2005 12:12 PM To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Legalism When I wish to illustrate legalism, I show them posts like this. ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org> Sent: April 02, 2005 11:55 Subject: [TruthTalk] Legalism > *Note Subject Change > was "Eternal Judgment" and now is "Legalism" > > 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. > > This is pretty much how I see you coming across all the time, John. > However, the rest of what you described applies very little to me, you, or > almost anybody else I know. There have been a few over the years, but I > don't tend to hang around people like that too long. > > I use the term legalism in the way that the dictionary defines it, which is > adherence to the letter of law, or a literal interpretation and adherence to > some law, rule, or religious code. You guys have a certain theological > system passed on to you from guys like Torrance and Wright, and you are very > strict not to depart from it. It is actually your new found legalism that > makes it difficult interacting with those who are legalistic in regards to > the standards of Scripture. Like Bill said, however, most legalists do not > realize that they are legalists. We are creatures of habit and tradition, > and this is what makes us all tend to be legalistic in some way. > > I keep in mind that passage that says that the letter of the law kills but > the spirit gives life. This tempers my tendency to be legalistic. I think > the absence of legalism would be sin, but I also think over emphasizing the > letter can be a sin as well. Remember that Jesus encouraged his disciples > to listen and learn from the legalists of his day, but he warned them of > their hypocrisy. He wanted us to do what the legalists said to do, but not > to follow their example of living. > > Too many times in this culture we hear warnings against legalism. This is > kind of like the hippy cry of the 1960's for freedom and liberty and free > love. Too often the battle cry against legalism is a justification for > anti-authoritarianism and anti-Biblical adherence. How about we talk about > this word legalism some more and see if we can decide if it is really all > that bad after all. > > As a starter for discussion, if legalism were carte blanche evil, then > shouldn't we just get rid of all laws? It seems to me that without laws and > rules, then it would be very difficult for anyone to be legalistic. What do > you think? > > Peace be with you. > David Miller. > > > ---------- > "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org > > If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
