Delving into legalism and moralism

Although the word legalism has been thrown around my whole life, I've never had a good handle on what it meant.  Everyone seems to have a different definition, and also everyone is fairly free using it to describe others, but none of us would ever admit that we are one ourselves.  Am I right?!  So this is a dive into what it is more clearly, and how moralism fits in with it.  I think the words have been used interchangeably, when they are technically 2 different things.  But, when I tried to do a Venn diagram of the overlap between the two, the section in the middle was so huge you couldn't even make a circle anymore.  Here we go~

Legalism  : strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code

Moralism : an often exaggerated emphasis on morality (Merriam-Webster's for both)

There were a lot of things called legalism (and defended as not legalism) that I've heard through my lifetime, but I think a lot of them could be classified as moralism instead.  From what I can find, the general consensus is that legalism believes that doing or not doing certain things will either save your soul to heaven or keep your soul from hell.  Moralism doesn't do either.  It just forces "good" behavior on you, with no soul benefit nor detraction.  The only detraction is when you fail and people notice and then gossip about you or reproach/rebuke you for not being "Christian enough". (aka perfect enough) The list of moralistic things differs from group to group, person to person. The lists below are compiled from many, many sources, none are my own.

re·proach : address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment

re·buke : express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behaviour or actions

(also Merriam-Webster's for both)

Legalism traits:

• Old Testament oriented
• Rules and regulations that others should keep
• Possibly keeps you from hell (depends on the mandate)
• Rules without a submitted heart (or any concern for the heart condition)
• Applying human rules but treating them as Divine
• May earn you some merit somewhere
• Fail to be amazed that we are saved solely by grace

Moralism traits:

• Old and New Testament oriented
• Proper moral behavior focus over genuine faith
• No gain or loss to heaven or hell
• Constant comparisons to good/bad Christians (all externals)
• Main reason: good example: perfect external behavior
• Fun wreckers 

Both overlap:

• Do not understand or offer grace (others could/should always do better, but we can't ourselves)
• Looks on others (deeds/misdeeds) more than self
• Obedience before gospel freedom
• Unfeeling towards the plight of others
• Blaming
• Judge by letter of law rather than spirit
• Concocts own rules (that he can keep), ignores those he can't
• Fear, guilt and shame based
• Not justified by avoiding nor adhering
• Performance over purpose (how you act is more important than who you are in Christ)
• Internal focus (navel gazing) rather than outward expression of God's love
• High fear of failure/judgement (and rightly so!)
• Breeds judgement and divisions (compliance over love/unity/faith)
• Outward appearance of holiness over internal heart transformation (fruit (of the Spirit) inspector)
• Division focused rather than love and common faith (what separates rather than what unites)
• Worth based on performance (no joy, never enough)
• Bound by manmade rules (non Biblical)
• Constant measuring by rigid expectations
• "Higher spirituality" than other people (at least they seem to think so)
• Elevates preferences to absolutes
• False pretense of control

Gospel centered:

• Old and New Testament, all pointing to Christ
• Forgiving
• Grace filled
• Freedom
• Joy
• Thankfulness
• Love based
• Gracious
• Mercy filled
• Shared faith
• Inner transformation
• Authenticity over conformity
• Pursuit of righteousness from love and gratitude rather than fear of condemnation
• Understands the commonness of humantiy

There was a quote in the Low Anthropology book (that I can't find now), where he said one of his friends mom used to get all worked up and say, "Somewhere, someone... is having way too much fun". [Source]

If you find that you've heard more about legalism and morality than the Gospel overall, this message  here is excellent.  It's called "The Gospel for those who have been broken by the church." Or if you have friends struggling with their faith as well.  I've listened to it several times.  Sometimes it isn't messages we heard from the pulpit that were askew, but ideas we picked up from hearing adults talking, complaining and judging others.

Also heard was poo-pooing "all manner of light-mindedness".  Although Christians are supposed to have joy, it should be very much limited and clamped down upon so that life doesn't become fun.  A visible struggle is a sign that you are devout and "on the narrow way".  Not necessarily true!

This photo below shows how something healthy (meditation or prayer) can easily become legalistic.  All things good in our Christian walk become legalistic if they become a must.  Going to church is a good thing.  The expectation that you must *want* to go every single Sunday for the rest of your life can turn legalistic if you feel weighed down with guilt for being sick, tired, overwhelmed or just plain want a day of rest and not go to church once in a while.  See how that switches?

Here's a few thoughts on legalism from 1517.org.  I think this short video sums it all up the best so please watch it.  Legalism can be spotted easily these 3 ways.

1) looks to condemn rather than liberate

2) values rules over love (but often calls the reproach love, which it is not)

3) insecure, waffling between pride and despair, taking out their frustrations on others (when you start to see this, you can't unsee it!)

Bonus 4) we're all sinners and legalists, and Christ came to die for us too

"There's nothing that needs to be done that hasn't already been done!" (by Christ) ~David Zahl

2 Tim 2:12-14"...for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us."

This is definitely not exhaustive, and some things are overlapping I recognize, but take what you will from it and go proclaim the Gospel message of grace to those who need to hear it!