If you were at church yesterday (Feb. 20, 2005), then you heard my “confessions”. As a former legalist (one who seeks justification by personal obedience as opposed to one who trusts Christ alone and receives imputed righteousness), I warned of those who would incorrectly define legalism. The popular definition (i.e. “strict adherence to law or a religious or moral code”) could be applied to anyone. For example, if I were to teach that Christians should strictly avoid drunkenness and sexual immorality and that they should give money regularly to support the work of the church, I could be labeled a “legalist” by the popular definition.
There are several well-meaning teachers in evangelical circles out there who have created entire ministries aimed at releasing Christians from the shackles of “legalism”. Believe me. This is a worthy cause. But please, brothers, be precise in your definition of “legalism”. I read on one website that any attempt by a Christian to progress spiritually by “what they do” is “legalism.” I must respectfully but forcefully disagree. Granted, we cannot add to our justification. In other words, we can’t get any more justified than we already are. Our eternal standing with God is a “done deal”. But our growth is not a done deal. We are to be “transformed” by the renewing of our minds and this is a process. Paul calls it “working out your salvation” in Phil. 2:12. It is a process of working out (in YOUR “doings”) what God has worked in (by HIS “doings”). No matter how you slice it, growth is progression. I progress through Spirit-led “doings” (spiritual disciplines). Am I a legalist? Not anymore!
I will have a further opportunity on March 6 to speak to this topic again.
It is true that how we define issues will either clarify or muddy the waters of understanding. However, the tough part is that English seems to have been created to cause misunderstanding as it relates to specificity. For example, we say “will you be at church on Sunday?” We have substituted the word “church” – those who have trusted in Christ, with “church” the building and meeting times. Someone may say, “We have a worship band.” Does this mean that when the band plays the by-product is worship? Also, we have buildings now being called “worship centers.” Is that particular location really the center of worship? I think the real solution to sloppy definitions in our culture is extended time together in communication discussing certain subject matter. When we can ask questions and make clarifying statements it helps eliminate misunderstanding. I believe this is exactly why we need things like “Grace-Talk” (this weekend – shameless plug), small groups, campfires, blogs, etc., in “church” programming. It helps people think and communicate at a level of concept instead of shallow “church-speak” which finds fertile ground in misunderstanding.
All this to say, I wish we spoke Latin!
That reminds me of the reason doctors use the Latin names of bones, organs, etc. – they must be precise because ambiguity can be fatal. Can you imagine a surgeon instructing another doctor or nurse to “suture that red thing with all the stuff on it?”
I run into this at work a lot – we have this general term, “service,” that means at least a half-dozen things. We’re always tripping over ourselves saying, “now, when you say ‘service,’ do you mean (this or that or …)?” — I think that’s just the sort of clarifying back-and-forth you’re talking about, Dan.
It would be better still if we could just be more precise in our language… but that’s easier said than done.
Allay isthay otay aysay, Iay ishway eway okespay igpay atinlay!
James identifies it as a faith that is alive. I like how you touched on the word justification being a “showing forth” of our rightness before God. Table Talk has been popping through James – and they emphasized this meaning of justified (justification) as it pertains to James 2:24.
Another example of how important good definitions are.
Did you say “Latin” or “pig latin”?
Dicere cognoscereque linguam latinam sunt facilior quam linguam brittaniarum.