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The thing is, Greek had no word for "legalism." So nomos νόμος was used for that as well. I do not think we want to equate legalism with Torah.
It's a terrible practice to translate ever instance of νόμος with the word "Torah." That leads to terrible misunderstandings.
On a technicality... you win.. that is a legalist... not necessarily morally right... just technically...Why not? What is wrong with legalism? If you drive the speed limit,
don't rob banks or break the laws of the state and country where you live,
are you a legalist?
A legalist is one who takes his/her sense of selfworth by how well he performs in keeping what ever law is applicable. It is NOT the same as obedience.Why not? What is wrong with legalism? If you drive the speed limit,
don't rob banks or break the laws of the state and country where you live,
are you a legalist?
As some have said ,,, "truer words were never spoken" ... when it comes to how some will also misinterpret/mistranslate Paul's words. When Paul says the "law of sin and death" it goes way back to when Adam & Eve disobeyed the first Torah(Law) of God (Genesis 3:3). Without the Laws of God the disciplines of science, mathmatics, music, art and others wouldn't exist as we know them today. Of course there are those that have already corrupted music. What God intends for Good (e.g. Ten Commandments) man has a way of wanting to do his own thing as if he is his own god.Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, it translated into wholesale non compliance.
Great point!When Paul says the "law of sin and death" it goes way back to when Adam & Eve disobeyed the first Torah(Law) of God (Genesis 3:3).
Well said!In the absence of laws, people create laws. In this case, there's no need for that. This is a question of authority and the level of obedience. Our POV is that the Law reigns supreme, since we believe it was Gd given. We follow it not blindly. Jesus had a disagreement, maybe about application, maybe about interpretation. It was and is not an uncommon conversation among us. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, it translated into wholesale non compliance.
"Judaism has always maintained that G-d's justice is tempered by mercy, the two qualities perfectly balanced. Of the two Names of G-d most commonly used in scripture, one refers to his quality of justice and the other to his quality of mercy. The two names were used together in the story of Creation, showing that the world was created with both justice and mercy"-from jewishvirtuallibrary. I think the lack of balance, as Jesus understood it, is the context of his criticism. Perhaps he thought they were being too literal/harsh in their observance. Christians tend to describe it as legalism. I believe that justice without mercy is worthless and mercy without justice is just as useless. Justice and loving kindness(mercy) are the cornerstones of our faith. One cannot exist without the other. If we use that as a starting point, understanding of the Torah's application in our lives becomes a lot easier to comprehend.Great point!
When we disobey Torah, the law of sin and death kicks in.
"Judaism has always maintained that G-d's justice is tempered by mercy, the two qualities perfectly balanced. Of the two Names of G-d most commonly used in scripture, one refers to his quality of justice and the other to his quality of mercy. The two names were used together in the story of Creation, showing that the world was created with both justice and mercy"-from jewishvirtuallibrary. I think the lack of balance, as Jesus understood it, is the context of his criticism. Perhaps he thought they were being too literal/harsh in their observance. Christians tend to describe it as legalism. I believe that justice without mercy is worthless and mercy without justice is just as useless. Justice and loving kindness(mercy) are the cornerstones of our faith. One cannot exist without the other. If we use that as a starting point, understanding of the Torah's application in our lives becomes a lot easier to comprehend.
Luke 17:10 So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
I agree, but most Christians who accuse a person of legalism don't
care about their motives for following the Torah. Seeing a person
who is careful to follow the law pricks their conscience because
deep down, they know they should be doing the same.
Legalism enforces it upon those around them.
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