Articles for tag: Legalism

May 30, 2023

Christian Standard

What I’ve Learned in Switching to an A Cappella Church of Christ

In the fall of 2020, as COVID restrictions were being eased, my wife and I were church “free agents.” I suggested we try an a cappella congregation I knew in Louisville, Ky. We jumped in, and two years later I joined the staff as involvement minister—a lifelong Christian Church guy now teaching, discipling, and worshipping in four-part harmony. Here are five observations from my experiences serving in an a cappella church. . . .  

October 12, 2020

David Faust

Don’t Get Sloppy (Oct. 18 Lesson Application)

This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9) ________ By David Faust An NFL Hall of Fame player passed along a tip he learned from a coach: “Always arrive a few minutes early for practice.” Punctuality itself wasn’t the main point. The coach advised, “Be disciplined off the field, and you will perform better on the field.” Why do soldiers in boot camp make their beds every morning? Why do parents ask their children to brush their teeth twice a day? Why does the book of Proverbs advise us to

December 25, 2019

Christian Standard

Book Review: ‘What Made Jesus Mad?’

Reviewed by Caleb Kaltenbach Tim Harlow excels in ministry leadership. He serves a growing church—Parkview Christian in Chicagoland has gone from 150 to 10,000-plus—mentors countless people, and encourages fellow senior ministers. He has served as president of the North American Christian Convention and authored Life on Mission: God’s People Finding God’s Heart for the World. And he’s done all of this—plus earned a doctorate—while loving his family and displaying courage, humility, and a sense of humor. However, if Harlow were asked what he’s most proud of in his ministry (besides his family), my guess is he’d say, “Leading a church

July 22, 2019

Mark Scott

Lesson for July 28, 2019: Enough! (Colossians 2:9-15, 20-23)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 8 (weeks 29-31; July 21–August 11, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Praise the Lord because Jesus has freed us from our sin-slavery and given us new life. _______ By Mark Scott Some believers simply grow old in Jesus instead of growing up in Jesus. The epistles are intended to help us grow up in Christ. They function as the biblical

March 26, 2019

Christian Standard

The Radical Request

By Halee Wood During Jesus’ early ministry, many of his followers were ecstatic. Who wouldn’t have been? The vibe, the miracles, the fact that he was hanging out with sinners. Some of these people had been made to feel like complete failures by the legalistic Pharisees, yet Jesus was loving, healing, and spending time with them! Jesus eventually began to say radical things that made many people feel seriously uncomfortable. In John 6, he said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. . . . For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real

May 28, 2018

Mark Scott

Lesson for June 3, 2018: Justice and Sabbath Laws (Matthew 12:1-14)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 5 (weeks 21–24; May 27—June 17, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote about the law of fair play. It goes like this. “I gave you a bite of my orange; give me a bite of yours.” Or, “Don’t hit me; I didn’t hit you.” From where did such laws arise? They seem to be innate. It

August 31, 2016

Christian Standard

In ALL Things, Love

By Jim Tune For as long as I can remember, our movement has gravitated toward a familiar slogan: “In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; and in all things, love.” Still, we often find it difficult to offer liberty when our opinions clash, and the list of essentials varies from person to person and from church to church. One might expect that familiarity with such a gracious slogan would tilt us strongly toward accepting one another”s differences and respecting the cherished convictions of brothers and sisters who see things differently. However, our movement has been as vulnerable to division, splits, and

January 20, 2016

Christian Standard

Too Many Lawyers

By Jim Tune I found a terrific definition of legalism on Wikipedia. “Legalism . . . in Christian theology,” it says, “is the act of putting law above gospel by establishing requirements for salvation beyond repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and reducing the broad, inclusive and general precepts of the Bible to narrow and rigid moral codes.” The article states that legalism usually involves “superficiality, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God or emphasizing the letter of law at the expense of the spirit.” I know all about legalism. I am a recovering legalist. I

January 29, 2015

Christian Standard

Playing Your Cards Right

By Jeff Faull We do not always handle theological conflict fairly. Have you heard””or used””any of these arguments? Since the days of the O.J. Simpson trial, the phrase “playing the race card” has become commonplace. Accusing someone of arbitrarily “playing the race card” usually means they have bypassed the true merits of either position and trumped the validity of everything else with an accusation of racism, whether legitimate or not. To be certain, racism still exists and sometimes it”s fair to display the “race card,” but other times it is unfairly used to silence an exploration of the real issues

July 6, 2014

Christian Standard

Simon-Says Religion

By Tim Harlow The religious leaders in Jesus” day were great at it. The religious leaders I looked up to as a kid were great at it. And as a religious leader today, I am great at it, too. I call it “Simon-Says Religion.” Here”s how it works: I, as the all-knowing “Simon,” call out my interpretations of God”s rules, and everyone else must conform their behavior. Woe to you, blind guides! You say, “If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.” You blind

May 27, 2013

Christian Standard

Foundation Problems

By Karen Rees A mainland Chinese construction company learned a hard lesson about having the right foundation. The company had nearly completed several high-rise apartment blocks across the border from Hong Kong. A number of the units had already been rented. Then a storm blew in and, to the horror of all, one of the buildings toppled over. Several workers were killed or injured. An investigation determined the accident was caused by foundation problems. The builders had constructed 10-story high-rises on foundations that were suited for one- or two-story houses. The storm exposed the truth. The foundations couldn”t handle the

October 15, 2012

Christian Standard

Sticky Conversations: Alcohol

THIS IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF FIVE “STICKY CONVERSATIONS”   By Tim Harlow In matters of opinion, beer? “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love.” It”s such a beautiful sentiment, but how do we know which is which? There wouldn”t be 30,000 different sects of Christianity in the world if it were really that easy. Consider the subject of alcohol. It”s always been confusing to me because, as I grew up in the Christian church, I was always told alcohol was bad/sinful. But Paul told Timothy to drink some wine for his

February 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 26, 2012: Bearing the Fruit of Redemption (Galatians 5:2″“6:18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This week we conclude a four-week survey of the book of Galatians. This also is the final lesson under this quarter”s general topic, “God establishes a faithful people.” The Christians in Galatia had to contend with false teachers who insisted on the legalism of first-century Judaism. They taught that a person first had to become a Jew before he could become a Christian. Paul pointed out that this was never the case (Galatians 2:6-9; see Acts

August 25, 2010

Christian Standard

Life in All Its Fullness

By Michael Mack This is a sidebar to “A Heart for God“ ____ Life to the full, the abundant life, more and better life than you”ve ever dreamed of. You cannot lead a person, small group, or church to experience the fullness of God”s love and grace unless you are living it yourself. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus presents three ways to respond to his offer of abundant life: 1. Come to me . . . and I will give you rest. Life to the full comes only through Jesus. Your response to him is to seek God and stay connected to him.

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