The Bible does not contain the word “legalism,” but it is well outlined in the Bible. Christians often use this phrase to refer to a doctrinal perspective that emphasizes following a set of guidelines in order to achieve both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalists believe that they can earn God’s approval or righteousness through their good works by following rules and regulations.
For example, the Judaizers encouraged new Christians to incorporate Mosaic laws along with the gospel of grace to ‘fulfil’ the duties of a Christian. But this was purely against the gospel of grace, as we are saved by grace and good works have no influence. Another example is the story of a Pharisee and a tax collector (Luke 18:9-14).
“Legalism exists when people attempt to secure righteousness in God’s sight by good works. Legalists believe that they can earn or merit God’s approval by performing the requirements of the law,” Thomas R. Schreiner said.
Many fail to believe that the OT law can be a guidepost for knowing God but, it is not binding on the new believers, because Christ established the New Law (of grace), through His death.
R. C. Sproul outlines three forms of legalism:
- Focusing on God’s laws more than a relationship with God.
- Keeping external laws without a truly submitted heart.
- Adding human rules to divine laws and treating them as divine.
(We’ll discuss doctrines and dogmas in the upcoming sessions.)
What is Lutheran theology?
Lutherans believes in justification by grace through faith alone and unlike Catholics, they do not believe it is scriptural to offer prayers to saints or to view Mary as in any sense a ‘mediator’ between God and human beings. But, they followed child baptism and believed in consubstantiation that the substance of the bread and wine coexists with the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist (Holy Communion).
Though Lutheranism stresses some doctrinal topics differently from other Christian traditions, it shares other key theological principles with other Christian traditions, such as the belief in the Trinity and the authority of the Scriptures. Lutheran theological emphases that might not be as prevalent in other denominational expressions of Christianity include the “priesthood of all believers” and the “theology of the cross.” Even so, Lutherans have no direct connection with legalism, but they shadowed many practices of Roman Catholicism.
