Beyond Legalism

In the light of the recent discussion on this blog regarding a Christian's obligation to Torah, a post over at Banned by HWA caught my attention. The post, LCG: Beyond "Dos and Don'ts", opened with: "It is amazing how various COG groups continue to make excuses to this day on how liberated and enlightened they are. Gerald Weston hilariously believes that he and the Living Church of God do not follow a list of 'do's and don'ts' Who wants to tell him?" Well, obviously, for anyone with an ACOG background, there is a long list of "dos and don'ts" which those folks have borrowed from the Torah (Sabbath, Holy Days, clean and unclean foods, etc.).

Even so, the LCG article which is the object of this post does make some points that are worthy of a deeper dive. For example, after quoting from the account of Christ's confrontation with the Pharisees about tithing (Matthew 23:23-24), we read: "Often, for those who take a 'checklist' approach, there are bigger questions that are ignored or missed. Jesus Christ told the Pharisees that they had neglected the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These are less easily defined. It is not that they are undefinable, but they require us to use righteous judgment. We must mature over time as we grow in understanding and Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit, so that we may make godly judgments (Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 5:14). Tithing on something is rather clear cut. If someone says you must tithe on mint and anise and cumin, these are clear guidelines—how and when and how much—and we can feel very good about doing that. But without clear 'dos' or 'don’ts' on a point of justice, mercy, or faith, it’s not so easy to know if we have pleased God. Yet He is plain that they are 'weightier matters' that mean a great deal to Him."

Again, for most of us who have left Armstrongism, it is obvious that LCG is still following a long list of "dos and don'ts." However, without comprehending its full implications, the above quoted statement underscores the problem inherent with legalism. Christ's summary of Torah into two great commandments (Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself) is the basis of  the Christian life - it is what was written on the hearts of Christ's followers by the Holy Spirit. And, as the LCG quote suggests, this is a much more comprehensive and harder standard to implement, because it requires us to THINK about what we are doing - we don't have the list of "dos and don'ts" to fall back on!

Later, in the same vein, we read about some of things which Paul had written to the saints of Corinth: "Paul’s statement challenges Christians to aim higher—to ask harder questions. Asking 'Can I technically justify my actions in the law?' is one thing. The Pharisees were very good at this. But asking questions like 'Does this edify others?' and 'Is it helpful to the congregation and my family?' and 'Does it truly reflect God’s own mind, thinking, and desires?' is something very different. The Pharisees were not very good in this department." The New Covenant moral standard is vastly superior to that which was required of the Israelites operating under Torah! Indeed, we read in the article's conclusion: "This kind of thinking—real, honest self-examination concerning our own motives and desires—is hard. Much harder than checking a list of 'dos' and 'don’ts' to see if something is 'OK' or 'a sin.'"

Unfortunately, while some of us are very willing to criticize the ACOGs for holding on to many of the ritualistic "dos and don'ts" of Torah, we go down the same rabbit hole in trying to make other "dos and don'ts" applicable to Christians! Sure, we refer to these provisions as part of a "moral law," but the effect is exactly the same! We are effectively making some of the "dos and don'ts" of Torah (some of the terms of the Old Covenant) applicable to New Testament Christians! In other words, just like our ACOG brethren, we are cherry picking provisions of the Torah!

In the commentary which followed, one person wrote: "Lonnie, Your statement strikes a distinct anti-nomian tone. The way 'back to God' is not without law. Not without behavioral prescriptions. Solo Christo must be accompanied by Sola Scriptura. Hebrews 10:16 speaks of a Law, a body of legislation, discernible by the Christian from the New Testament, that defines the behavioral dimension of The Way, The Truth and the Life. There is no circumvention through Solo Christo. Something does get written on our hearts. And something does comprise Paul's concept of sin. And the Holy Spirit does not trace out an arc that is wholly other. Maybe I have read something into your statement that is not there. Pardon me if this is so."

I responded: "I have NEVER advocated antinomianism (the notion that Christian's are not obligated to follow moral law). I believe that Christians are saved by grace through Jesus Christ. However, I also believe that a Christian's life will reflect the fruits of God's Holy Spirit - the new man/woman which Christ's work has made him/her. Christ fulfilled and summarized Torah into two great commandments for his followers: Love God and each other. If the disciple internalizes and applies these principles/commandments, he/she will live a moral life. For example, if love truly does no harm to another, then that would preclude things like adultery, pedophilia, bestiality, murder, stealing, lying, jealousy, violence, etc. In reality, Christ's commandments are much more comprehensive than the list of dos and don'ts outlined in Torah - they cover ALL aspects of human behavior/conduct. Hence, if a Christian is following Christ's commandments, he/she will easily exceed the righteousness which is derived from scrupulous legalism. It is NOT that we (Christians) do not have a moral standard, it's that we have a DIFFERENT standard than that which applied to the Israelites operating under the terms of the Old Covenant."