Legalism … Again … and Again … and Again …

by Jonathan Perz

Ugh. (Yes, I just started a post off with the word "ugh.")

I realize that many of my brethren have grave concerns about the idea of "legalism." It has become quite paramount in the thinking of some. The way some speak, there is nothing worse in Scripture than being a "legalist" and there exists no greater threat to Christianity today than "legalism." You would think that this is the worst "sin" a Christian can commit and is at the root of nearly every single problem in the church these days. You would think the "love of keeping God's law" is the root of all kinds of evil.

Now, I realize that I might have been a bit hyperbolic in the last paragraph. However, I could make a pretty good argument to support the case with the writings of some.

Frankly, I see no good fruit coming from the term "legalist" and its use, as it is a term laden with all kinds of baggage. Not to mention that it is a relatively modern term or label (Merriam-Webster suggests the word was first used in 1928. I am not sure on that date, but I can tell you one thing without a doubt, the term is not used in Scripture). This pejorative term seems to be and bring nothing but trouble. The next new division on the horizon (and some have already divided over this) is between the "legalist" Christians and "anti-legalist" Christians. Am I the only one who is simply dumbfounded by this? Are we really this desperate for more division?

I have brethren who I see eye-to-eye on so many issues who would argue that "legalism" is a sin in and of itself (or at least what in their minds "legalism" refers to). I have concerns about this approach to condemning sin. However, instead of striving about this word to no profit (cf. II Timothy 2:14), I have a suggestion. Since the word is so problematic, why not choose a few Bible words and phrases to identify the problems behind the "legalism" so many believe is killing Christians en masse? Was the Lord's description of the Pharisees (the original "legalists" - according to some) and their problems inadequate, insufficient, or not thorough enough for us today? Why not use our Lord and Savior's terminology to describe sin, instead of a manufactured word that simply causes more trouble than it is worth?

I see the term "legalist" as a catch-all type of phrase that is abused more than it is properly used (if you accept the definitions its user is supplying). Much like the wrath of man, I have rarely seen the use of this term produce the righteousness of God. More often than not, in fear of being thought of as a "legalist," many swing the pendulum and end up advocating doctrines that cannot be advocated, or making statements as truth that cannot be supported or that would fly in the face of simple truths revealed.

To illustrate, I asked the question some time ago, "Can you say: 'I am justified by works?'" No caveats. No conditions. Just as a simple declaration. Some might have been willing to say, "I am justified by works, and not by faith only." Yet, far too many are not comfortable with this expression at all, because they are afraid it would make them sound like a "legalist"? This, my friends, would make James a "legalist" (cf. James 2:24). Are we really willing to go there?

Yet, let's get back to Jesus' various condemnations of the Pharisees.

• Some clearly trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. This didn't make them "legalists" ... it made them arrogant and self-righteous. Was Jesus' condemnation insufficient for us today?
• Some were clearly hypocrites. This did not make them "legalists," it made them ... well... hypocritical. Again, maybe Jesus didn't have the full scope of their problem (and many of our problems today).
• Some were teaching as doctrines the commandments of men, honoring God with their lips only, and not their hearts. Yet, even this, according to Jesus did not make them "legalists." It made them insincere and guilty of binding what God has not bound. Again, Jesus' condemning quote from Isaiah must be lacking in some way.

I can go on and on.

Brethren, for the past 75 years (and perhaps much longer), we have been called "legalists" by those who follow and adhere to the doctrines of Calvin and the Baptist church. Why was this? Because we believe and teach that baptism is necessary for salvation (not because it is necessary for obedience because we have already been saved as some of us argue today, but for actual salvation). Now, everywhere I turn, I see brethren calling their brethren "legalists" because they believe this same thing. We are even tagging on all kinds of other beliefs. Motives have been questioned and characters impugned as "legalistic" regarding issues such as the instrumental music in worship, the weekly observance of the Lord's Supper, the actual observance of the Lord's Supper itself, the work of the church, the belief that we should be silent where the Bible is silent, whether or not they are truly seeing to the needs of the widows and orphans and loving the poor, whether they use a "Command, Example, and Necessary Inference" hermeneutic, etc. etc. On and on it goes.

All I have to say is "Ugh." This madness has to stop. I have been called a "legalist" by more brethren than I care to count over the past three years. I am sure others have been labeled as such more than I have. Yet, not once have I been charged with a sin as it relates to being a "legalist." Every time I am labeled a "legalist," I wonder, what sin have I committed? What law from God's word have I broken? Is that not what a sin is? Am I the only one who sees this as utterly ironic (a "legalistic" lawbreaker?)? I have been told I am a "legalist" who has "fallen from grace" (both indirectly and directly) because I believe we do indeed have to do some things to be saved and stay saved. Yet, I have not found one single person who will show me how to be saved by doing nothing, how to stay saved by doing nothing, and give me one example of someone who has done nothing to be saved. There are more examples I can cite, but I have written enough.

Dear brethren, we will never resolve the real issues dividing us today until we lay aside these pejorative labels never once employed by an inspired writer and start humbly, lovingly, and respectfully discussing the actual doctrines that are indeed dividing us. I am afraid the only one gaining from the problems caused by the use of the term "legalism" is Satan. Maybe we should put that in perspective for a bit and ask ourselves how labeling our brethren as "legalists" really advances the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?" (James 4:11-12).