Some Theology
Ok so I've been on a fun kick for the past 5+ blogs and will now dive into some theology. I'm not going to write anything too long right now but want to pose a few questions. First, what is legalism? I've been trying to come up with a concise yet precise definition. I want to know what you guys think. Second, what is liberalism (as it relates to theology)? Again I think I know but I want to compare it with what I hear. You know group think is good! So to my four friends who read this blog please let me know how you would answer these two questions. I'm going to post a blog in the future trying to answer them. Peasce ouut!
posted by RJ-77 at 7:12 AM
10 Comments:
I would say legalism is thinking that by doing things like good works that it somehow earns favor with God and helps you get to heaven. As a result of doing these good works, it also makes you better than the next guy. The Pharisees are a good example as well as Mormons.
I think the better than the next guy example is right on. It makes me feel like I'm not as bad as that guy because I wouldn't see that movie or have that glass of wine, even if it's on subconscience level.
I'm not sure I understand the "liberalism (as it relates to theology)?" Question.
I belive liberalism only exsits due to the fact that people don't believe in an afterlife. If you believe in reincarnation, or eternal life, or any reward based afterlife, liberism is moot.
We believe we will get something good after we die. If it is earned or given is unimportant, we'll get ours in another life.
Liberalism says, this is all we have. What you see. We should make it worth living in. They do not believe the statement "The poor will always be with you."
i'll take a legalism stab.
Legalism is using and creating rules and expectations of how one ought to live as a way of judgement and worldly determination of one's salvation and dedication to Christ.
what do you think?
--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com
Thanks for your comments thus far. I'm working on defining both. So we'll have to compare notes.
In response to Klugde...
Interesting thoughts on liberalism. I agree with you, mostly. Though regarding the question at hand, I think of liberlism in more of a general sense than in the current political definiton. Liberalism and conservatism are relative terms, in a sense, depending on the circumstances. Jesus could be called a liberal in His time in the sense that He was bucking the status quo of the "establishment" (the Pharisees and such). The definition of liberal today has similar connotations to some, as they see themselves as being progressive and looking to correct what they see as wrongs perpetrated by the status quo. So theological liberals, as I see it, are looking to question and change the status quo in terms of theology, i.e. Christs deity, inerrancy of the Bible, validity of the supernatural, etc. I don't know that that necessarily means they don't believe in an afterlife, or even heaven specifically, but perhaps would believe that there are "many paths up the same mountain" and other such misinterpretations.
Whoa! That was long. Did any of that even make sense?
Ando,
Great thought. I've been considering the the whole thing and when I finnaly write it down it may raise some eye brows. I think I will post something later today even so keep an weather eye!
Ando;
That made a lot of sense. I really didn't understand the question. I suppose there are many degrees of this in the Church.
CS Lewis said "All extremes are bad, except extreme devotion to God." I suppose I can agree with that, and I believe the gospels show that. Christs understanding would make a lot of christians cringe today. His interaction with the harlot, for one... but He also didn't give the moneychangers at the temple any space.
I suppose that's why God said that vengance is His. He knows the heart and we don't. We can't judge correctly, which is why we didn't get the job.
Well said.
Legalism is elevating God's law, or an extra-biblical rule to a standard higher than that prescribed in Scripture. Often it is then used as a test for orthodoxy or fellowship.
It's "twin" is usually described as antinomianism which means "against law". And those that adhere to this doctrine typically feel that God's law has no application in the life of the Christian. Both have historically been seen as hereries.
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