Fundamentalism or Legalism?

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Hi Folks!

I've been off the boards for awhile and most of you will not know me. I was wondering what your take is on the above subject?

When I explain to some people that the church I attend is IFB and we follow biblical guidelines, such as seperation from the world and its activities, modest dress, etc, a lot of people tell me that is legalism.

Now, this is not a REQUIREMENT to be a member of the church or to attend, it is not written down, they will not bar you from church for not following these.

So, how is it that following what the Bible tells us to do is legalism?

God Bless!

[TwinCrier]

It's not. The world has gone so far down the tubes that any slight attempt of maintaining a sliver of holiness is viewed as an insult. It used to be when people felt guilty they would repent, now they just call people names.

[Project 86]

I guess so. It makes them feel better.

Hi Folks!

I've been off the boards for awhile and most of you will not know me. I was wondering what your take is on the above subject?

When I explain to some people that the church I attend is IFB and we follow biblical guidelines, such as seperation from the world and its activities, modest dress, etc, a lot of people tell me that is legalism.

Now, this is not a REQUIREMENT to be a member of the church or to attend, it is not written down, they will not bar you from church for not following these.

So, how is it that following what the Bible tells us to do is legalism?

God Bless!

It's not. The world has gone so far down the tubes that any slight attempt of maintaining a sliver of holiness is viewed as an insult. It used to be when people felt guilty they would repent, now they just call people names.

[oliveplants]

In my opinion, legalism is when man makes his own rules on par with God's rules, adds to what God has said, or makes the actions a prerequisit for salvation.

A fundamentalist is one who believes the Bible and applies it to the best of his ability. Maybe one who teaches others to do the same.

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Okay, good, I'm not the only one! I agree with all of that. Following the Bible is not worldly, so of course, the world is going to label us weird or extremists.

I guess I have a hard time understanding all of the other denominations that don't preach / teach these things. I know most of the churches these days preach a watered down, feel good, gospel. They do everything to not offend anyone and make people feel good about themselves and conform to the world standards. What happened? I've heard people who were raised in UMC and were never told about being saved or how to be saved. It was not even a topic. Why? Why did all of these denominations get away from the fundamentals of the faith? Makes one wonder what the Lord is waiting on, why doesn't He come back and end all of this chaos?

Final question: Do fundamentals originate from the time of Jesus OR are we considered a Protestant type branch of people? Even though we are not a denomination, just a group of like believers. I know some IFB churches will say they were never part of catholicism and therefore did not branch from protestantism. That there were IFB type groups as far back as the time after Christ.

Thanks everyone!

[Project 86]

I don't believe Baptists to be protestants. They don't have the historical breaking off from the Catholic church background of Lutherans, Methodists and etc. Plus I'm not protesting anything with the Catholic church so why in the world would I be a protestant? Okay, good, I'm not the only one! I agree with all of that. Following the Bible is not worldly, so of course, the world is going to label us weird or extremists.

I guess I have a hard time understanding all of the other denominations that don't preach / teach these things. I know most of the churches these days preach a watered down, feel good, gospel. They do everything to not offend anyone and make people feel good about themselves and conform to the world standards. What happened? I've heard people who were raised in UMC and were never told about being saved or how to be saved. It was not even a topic. Why? Why did all of these denominations get away from the fundamentals of the faith? Makes one wonder what the Lord is waiting on, why doesn't He come back and end all of this chaos?

Final question: Do fundamentals originate from the time of Jesus OR are we considered a Protestant type branch of people? Even though we are not a denomination, just a group of like believers. I know some IFB churches will say they were never part of catholicism and therefore did not branch from protestantism. That there were IFB type groups as far back as the time after Christ.

Thanks everyone!

[oliveplants]

As far as church history goes, I believe the common story is mostly true: the church Jesus left gradually formed structure and became what we call the Catholic church; the East and West split up; the reformers broke away; the radical reformers went farther; the denominations settled themselves out into where they are now.

However, there have always been 'fundamentalists' or 'true believers' or whatever you want to call it, in every denomination in every time frame. Church of Christ wants to believe they were all COC people, Mennonites want to believe they were all anabaptists, and so on. I think they were the Bride.

[No Swansong]

Obeying God is not Legalism. You are not depending upon following the law and being saved because of your obedience. If you (and I think you do from your previous postings) believe that you are saved because of the obedience of Christ and your faith in Him then it is not legalism.

[kenneth558]

...Makes one wonder what the Lord is waiting on, why doesn't He come back and end all of this chaos?...I don't have a corner on truth, but if you read Romans 14-15:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014-15:7;&version=9;) thoughtfully, one can conclude that the Lord is wanting to teach us to really love each other in spite of these differences of beliefs. I rather wonder if He is waiting to clear up the chaos until we first love each other/receive each other like we're supposed to, and then "...He might sanctify and cleanse [the Church] with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Love before knowledge, so to speak.

[No Swansong]

That's an interesting thought Kenneth.