The New Legalism

[Guest shiloh357]

The ‘new legalism’

Religion | How the push to be ‘radical’ and ‘missional’ discourages ordinary people in ordinary places from doing ordinary things to the glory of God

 

By Anthony Bradley

Posted May 4, 2013, 12:54 p.m.

 

 

Is Paul’s urging to live quietly, mind your own affairs, and work with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11) only for losers? Do you feel that you’re wasting your gifts if you “settle” into an ordinary job, get married early and start a family, or live in a small town or suburb? Acton Institute Power Blogger Anthony Bradley has some provocative thoughts on the “new legalism.” —Marvin Olasky

 

A few days ago on Facebook and Twitter I made the following observation:

“Being a ‘radical,’ ‘missional’ Christian is slowly becoming the ‘new legalism.’ We need more ordinary God and people lovers (Matt 22:36-40).”

 

This observation was the result of long conversation with a student who was wrestling with what to do with his life given all of the opportunities he had available to him. To my surprise, my comment exploded over the internet with dozens and dozens of people sharing the comment and sending me personal correspondence.

 

 

I continue to be amazed by the number of youth and young adults who are stressed and burnt out from the regular shaming and feelings of inadequacy if they happen to not be doing something unique and special. Today’s millennial generation is being fed the message that if they don’t do something extraordinary in this life they are wasting their gifts and potential. The sad result is that many young adults feel ashamed if they “settle” into ordinary jobs, get married early and start families, live in small towns, or as 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, “aspire to live quietly, and to mind [their] affairs, and to work with [their] hands.” For too many millennials their greatest fear in this life is being an ordinary person with a non-glamorous job, living in the suburbs, and having nothing spectacular to boast about.  Here are a few thoughts on how we got here.

 

Anti-Suburban Christianity

 

In the 1970s and 1980s, the children and older grandchildren of the builder generation (born between 1901 and 1920) sorted themselves and headed to the suburbs to raise their children in safety, comfort, and material ease. And now millennials (born between 1977 and 1995), taking a cue from their baby boomer parents (born between 1946 and 1964) to despise the contexts that provided them advantages, have a disdain for America’s suburbs. This despising of suburban life has been inadvertently encouraged by well-intentioned religious leaders inviting people to move to neglected cities to make a difference, because, after all, the Apostle Paul did his work primarily in cities, cities are important, and cities are the final destination of the Kingdom of God. They were told that God loves cities and they should, too. The unfortunate message became that you cannot live a meaningful Christian life in the suburbs.

 

Missional Narcissism

 

There are many churches that are committed to being what is called missional. This term is used to describe a church community where people see themselves as missionaries in local communities. A missional church has been defined, as “a theologically formed, Gospel-centered, Spirit-empowered, united community of believers who seek to faithfully incarnate the purposes of Christ for the glory of God,” says Scott Thomas of the Acts 29 Network. The problem is that this push for local missionaries coincided with the narcissism epidemic we are facing in America, especially with the millennial generation. As a result, living out one’s faith became narrowly celebratory only when done in a unique and special way, a “missional” way. Getting married and having children early, getting a job, saving and investing, being a good citizen, loving one’s neighbor, and the like, no longer qualify as virtuous. One has to be involved in arts and social justice activities—even if justice is pursued without sound economics or social teaching. I actually know of a couple who were being so “missional” they decided to not procreate for the sake of taking care of orphans.

 

 

To make matters worse, some religious leaders have added a new category to Christianity called “radical Christianity” in an effort to trade-off suburban Christianity for mission. This movement is based on a book by David Platt and is fashioned around “an idea that we were created for far more than a nice, comfortable Christian spin on the American dream. An idea that we were created to follow One who demands radical risk and promises radical reward.” Again, this was a well-intentioned attempt to address lukewarm Christians in the suburbs, but because it is primarily reactionary and does not provide a positive construction for the good life from God’s perspective, it misses “radical” ideas in Jesus’ own teachings like “love.”

 

http://www.worldmag.com/2013/05/the_new_legalism

[other one]

Is't that all the truth

[Guest Butero]

When I first saw this thread, and it's title, I thought, "here we go again."  Then I read it, and was surprised to find myself in agreement with most of it.  I don't think this is a form of legalism, but there is definately pressure put on people in many churches to do something great for God, and when people don't meet up to those expectations, they feel like a failure, even if they have been good and decent people. 

 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear, God, and keep his commmandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

I think those who promote this doctrine are well intentioned.  They believe what they are preaching.  I think the problem is when you go from encouraging people to be all they can be, and make them feel like a failure if they don't accomplish great exploits. 

[Guest shiloh357]

When I first saw this thread, and it's title, I thought, "here we go again."  Then I read it, and was surprised to find myself in agreement with most of it.  I don't think this is a form of legalism, but there is definately pressure put on people in many churches to do something great for God, and when people don't meet up to those expectations, they feel like a failure, even if they have been good and decent people. 

 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear, God, and keep his commmandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

I think those who promote this doctrine are well intentioned.  They believe what they are preaching.  I think the problem is when you go from encouraging people to be all they can be, and make them feel like a failure if they don't accomplish great exploits. 

Whenever you are held to a man-made standard and are condemned or made to feel diminished or to feel a failure when you don't measure up to that standard, that's legalism.

[Guest]

 

And They Rocked The World

 

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:46

 

More Gravy

 

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

 

Please

 

Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not prophesyings. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20

[Guest Butero]

 

When I first saw this thread, and it's title, I thought, "here we go again."  Then I read it, and was surprised to find myself in agreement with most of it.  I don't think this is a form of legalism, but there is definately pressure put on people in many churches to do something great for God, and when people don't meet up to those expectations, they feel like a failure, even if they have been good and decent people. 

 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear, God, and keep his commmandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

I think those who promote this doctrine are well intentioned.  They believe what they are preaching.  I think the problem is when you go from encouraging people to be all they can be, and make them feel like a failure if they don't accomplish great exploits. 

Whenever you are held to a man-made standard and are condemned or made to feel diminished or to feel a failure when you don't measure up to that standard, that's legalism.

 

And as you once pointed out, legalism isn't a Biblical term. 

[Guest ninhao]

Hear hear Shiloh et al,

 

I think the writings of many new age "preachers " ( ie. prosperity Gospel and hyper grace ) present the same message of bondage upon "quiet" Christians.. 

[pg4Him]

There are just as many lukewarm Christians who live in the slums. In fact, I can point to lukewarm Christians I know in real life who tried their hand at third-world missions for a while. Packing up and moving to the Congo doesn't make someone a stronger believer. 

[*Zion*]

It's a wonderful thing to desire to glorify God; it's a pride issue when one seeks to only glorify one's flesh when seemingly desirous to glorify God. 

 

As Pg4Him has said, being a strong believer isn't about going some place to do something.  If you're out and about your business on an ordinary day, and someone comes up to you and says: "Hey, I saw you coming out of that church meeting yesterday!  You're one of those pesky Christians, aren't you???" And you say "Yes, I am,", well then guess what - you're being radical.

 

It's radical to pray - anywhere.  Sing a worship song anywhere.  Shout "Praise the Lord!" Anywhere.

 

One time in church, my pastor was preaching, and I was in such agreement a "Praise the Lord!" just lept out of me.  I turned quite a few heads.  I didn't expect to get such a response from people, but I guess I was being somewhat radical.

 

But God is constantly challenging me to fear Him and not man.

 

Are we up to the challenge.  We can all be totally sold out for Jesus without having gone to a dozen places around the world.  We can all be passionate for Him in the quiet raise of our hands in worship to Him.

 

Stay rad, man

[Guest shiloh357]

 

 

When I first saw this thread, and it's title, I thought, "here we go again."  Then I read it, and was surprised to find myself in agreement with most of it.  I don't think this is a form of legalism, but there is definately pressure put on people in many churches to do something great for God, and when people don't meet up to those expectations, they feel like a failure, even if they have been good and decent people. 

 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear, God, and keep his commmandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

I think those who promote this doctrine are well intentioned.  They believe what they are preaching.  I think the problem is when you go from encouraging people to be all they can be, and make them feel like a failure if they don't accomplish great exploits. 

Whenever you are held to a man-made standard and are condemned or made to feel diminished or to feel a failure when you don't measure up to that standard, that's legalism.

 

And as you once pointed out, legalism isn't a Biblical term. 

 

That is true, it is actually a legal term coined out of the English language to refer to strict adherence to civl law.   Christians have adopted that term to address issues where a person's walk with the Lord is measured against human standards pertaining to what does and does not constitute holy living.

 

No one is considered legalistic for strictly adhering to the commandment of God, not to murder, not to steal or not to commit adultery.  No one is considered legalistic for being 100% faithful to their spouse. 

 

Legalism is generally applied to those who reach outside of the Scriptures and judge other's people's walk with the Lord based external matters. In this case, the "legalism" amounts to judging another's walk with God by how "radical" they are, by how many mission trips they go on. There is no word in the Greek NT for legalism.  Yet, the concept is there, when it came to people judging each other on what they ate or what days they fasted.