Question:

What's the difference between fundamentalism and legalism? Could you please differentiate between legalism and fundamentalism in an easy to understand definition? I think I understand for the most part. Is there an overlap in their definitions or are they two totally different entities? Thank you very much and I also thank Plain Truth Ministries for all it offers.

Answer:

Thanks for your question -- responding to it might serve to sharpen my thinking. Legalism is the religious viewpoint that proposes that our performance of deeds enhances our relationship with God. Legalism can lead one to fundamentalism.

Legalism is the virus (somewhat like HIV) that leads to the full blown toxic condition of fundamentalism (somewhat like AIDS). Fundamentalism is the religious viewpoint that proposes that its teachings and practices are the one and only true religion. Fundamentalism is an environment in which legalism thrives. Fundamentalism is the organized religious/political movement that gives birth to sects, cults, exclusivist parties, groups and denominations. Fundamentalism is fueled by legalism.

Thus, it would seem that all fundamentalists are legalists, but not all legalists are fundamentalists. The self-love of legalism, the glorification of human performance as something with which God is supposedly well pleased, can eventually turn into the monster of fundamentalism, which not only is about self-love, but now is adversarial, demonizing those who do not agree, eventuating in hatred, bigotry, and war. Legalism can seem harmless, in which those who are infected begin to focus on religious pills, potions, prescriptions and priests as their saviors -- but it can turn into the nasty, malicious monster of fundamentalism. Our cover story, in the July-August 2007 Plain Truth, was titled "The Gathering Storm of Fundamentalism" -- it might provide further insights.