Legalistic Ethics
Doctrinal Thoughts
There are basically three types of ethical systems in which people live by. Some try and live within the system whereby there are no laws (antinomianism) to govern them, others try and make up a specific rule for every conceivable situation or subject that a person may face (legalism), and then others try and make decisions based upon biblical revelation with the Holy Spirit, church leadership guidance, and personal conscience. Antinomianism is more prominent in churches that do not follow the absolute authority of Scripture. However, legalistic ethics are more prominent in churches that believe in the absolute authority and full inspiration of Scripture. Legalists are those whom live “by certain rules or principals not found in the Scriptures” and then expect “others to follow those same rules” (Arnold Fruchtenbuam, Hebrew Christianity, 118). It is not that one has rules of one’s own personal conscience that makes him or her a legalist. It is when the person applies those rules across the board universally to all people at all times in all places when Scripture does not do the same. Dr. Fruchtenbuam has stated of these rules: “The number and nature of these extra-biblical rules are different for different parts of the country. Whether it is the Filthy Five, the Nasty Nine, or the Dirty Dozen will depend on the geographical area or on the particular church affiliation of the individual. A person’s faith in Christ and his spiritual growth are often judged on the basis of his conformity to these rules rather than on his conformity to the Law of Christ” (Hebrew Christianity, 118).
Let’s look at an example often used in legalistic churches. In a legalistic church whereby Christian ethics are violated the leaders or people will often condemn the use of alcohol. These people usually come to the texts in Scripture concerning wine and give the argument that this was really grape juice or unfermented wine. The examples whereby Christ drank wine or made wine are interpreted as wine that had no alcohol in it. Sometimes they argue that if it did contain alcohol it was so insignificant that it does not compare to the modern day version of wine or alcoholic beverages. However, as Dr. Fruchtenbuam has rightly noted: “The truth of the matter is that both the Hebrew and Greek languages have a perfectly good word for juice, and if that is what the writers of Scripture wanted to say, they could have used it. Instead, they use the Hebrew and Greek words for wine” (Hebrew Christianity, 121). One can read Psalm 104:15 and see that God causes and allows the earth to produce “wine to make” the people “glad” in heart. All of this leads us to realize that legalistic ethics miss the heart of NT Christianity. The true Christian spirit is one that submits to specific NT laws, not extra laws, and follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Legalism is actually a lower form of morality because it is easier to live by “a set of rules than to be in such communion with the Holy Spirit as to know what God would want him to do about a certain thing in a given situation. To live by a set of rules may rob the believer of true communion and of knowing the will of God”(Fruchtenbaum, Hebrew Christianity, 122). So what then is the answer? One must learn to realize that in “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) for in Christ nothing in itself is sinful. “What is right or wrong is the way in which something is used” (Hebrew Christianity, 127). This requires the person to keep in “step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25b NIV) by “giving thanks to God the Father” in all things through Christ (Col. 3:17). If we live in step with the Spirit we will live in such a way that we will conduct ourselves in such a way that we will not injure another person around us whose conscience may differ from our own views. Though we may be free, and though the action may be permissible and holy, we will refrain from some things in certain situations for the good of others whose conscience is weak (1 Cor. 10:23-11:1).
Life Application
Look at your life. Ask yourself three questions: 1. Do you falsely believe that extra biblical rules or church traditions you follow make you more holy? 2. Do you recognize that freedom and living in liberty by the power of the Spirit is the better way of life? 3. Are you willing to restrain your freedoms in Christ for the good of others when their consciences may be weak? Pray over these matters.
Doctrinal Thoughts
There are basically three types of ethical systems in which people live by. Some try and live within the system whereby there are no laws (antinomianism) to govern them, others try and make up a specific rule for every conceivable situation or subject that a person may face (legalism), and then others try and make decisions based upon biblical revelation with the Holy Spirit, church leadership guidance, and personal conscience. Antinomianism is more prominent in churches that do not follow the absolute authority of Scripture. However, legalistic ethics are more prominent in churches that believe in the absolute authority and full inspiration of Scripture. Legalists are those whom live “by certain rules or principals not found in the Scriptures” and then expect “others to follow those same rules” (Arnold Fruchtenbuam, Hebrew Christianity, 118). It is not that one has rules of one’s own personal conscience that makes him or her a legalist. It is when the person applies those rules across the board universally to all people at all times in all places when Scripture does not do the same. Dr. Fruchtenbuam has stated of these rules: “The number and nature of these extra-biblical rules are different for different parts of the country. Whether it is the Filthy Five, the Nasty Nine, or the Dirty Dozen will depend on the geographical area or on the particular church affiliation of the individual. A person’s faith in Christ and his spiritual growth are often judged on the basis of his conformity to these rules rather than on his conformity to the Law of Christ” (Hebrew Christianity, 118).
Let’s look at an example often used in legalistic churches. In a legalistic church whereby Christian ethics are violated the leaders or people will often condemn the use of alcohol. These people usually come to the texts in Scripture concerning wine and give the argument that this was really grape juice or unfermented wine. The examples whereby Christ drank wine or made wine are interpreted as wine that had no alcohol in it. Sometimes they argue that if it did contain alcohol it was so insignificant that it does not compare to the modern day version of wine or alcoholic beverages. However, as Dr. Fruchtenbuam has rightly noted: “The truth of the matter is that both the Hebrew and Greek languages have a perfectly good word for juice, and if that is what the writers of Scripture wanted to say, they could have used it. Instead, they use the Hebrew and Greek words for wine” (Hebrew Christianity, 121). One can read Psalm 104:15 and see that God causes and allows the earth to produce “wine to make” the people “glad” in heart. All of this leads us to realize that legalistic ethics miss the heart of NT Christianity. The true Christian spirit is one that submits to specific NT laws, not extra laws, and follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Legalism is actually a lower form of morality because it is easier to live by “a set of rules than to be in such communion with the Holy Spirit as to know what God would want him to do about a certain thing in a given situation. To live by a set of rules may rob the believer of true communion and of knowing the will of God”(Fruchtenbaum, Hebrew Christianity, 122). So what then is the answer? One must learn to realize that in “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) for in Christ nothing in itself is sinful. “What is right or wrong is the way in which something is used” (Hebrew Christianity, 127). This requires the person to keep in “step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25b NIV) by “giving thanks to God the Father” in all things through Christ (Col. 3:17). If we live in step with the Spirit we will live in such a way that we will conduct ourselves in such a way that we will not injure another person around us whose conscience may differ from our own views. Though we may be free, and though the action may be permissible and holy, we will refrain from some things in certain situations for the good of others whose conscience is weak (1 Cor. 10:23-11:1).
Life Application
Look at your life. Ask yourself three questions: 1. Do you falsely believe that extra biblical rules or church traditions you follow make you more holy? 2. Do you recognize that freedom and living in liberty by the power of the Spirit is the better way of life? 3. Are you willing to restrain your freedoms in Christ for the good of others when their consciences may be weak? Pray over these matters.
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