Question:  Dear Greg,

            What exactly is legalism?

            Ron

Answer:  Dear Ron,

            As used within Christianity legalism generally implies the keeping of the law (however the law might be defined, interpreted and understood), assuming that obedience to law is meritorious in God’s eyes.  Other terms are used within a New Testament context—Galatianism and Judaism, among them.

            Legalism, according to the gospel of grace, essentially comes down to this; there are two ways to deal with human sin and culpability for sin.  One is to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that is given to us, without price, by grace.  The other is to attempt to pay for one’s sins by virtue of one’s own good deeds and works.  The latter would be generally termed as legalism.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht