Comments on: It just wouldn't work

By: Lionfish

Lionfish — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:56:37 +0000

“Does taking a stand of any sort constitute self righteousness?…”

I don’t believe so.

Taking a stand is not necessarily pointing a finger of condemnation – it can be pointing out injustice.

I don’t think Martin Luther or Martin Luther King were self-righteous.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:13:11 +0000

I think the real issue is one of judgement. Should we judge others. If so when? and how? What if someone is involved in immoral behavior that is hurtful to other members in a community? I think we should take a stand in these matters. But how do you do it? Particularly if you are in a house church setting where you can’t delegate really messy situations to a paid pastor

By: Hamo

Hamo — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:13:05 +0000

Does taking a stand of any sort constitute self righteousness?…

By: Lionfish

Lionfish — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:45:53 +0000

Is taking a stand against the legalism of tithing considered as self righteousness?

By: Hamo

Hamo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:02:17 +0000

Indeed ’self’ righteousness is in fact completely blasphemous as it indicates that we are able to achieve on our own what Christ died on the cross for!

By: Toddy

Toddy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:26:13 +0000

I think we should take a stand against legalists!!

By: chris robinson

chris robinson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:44 +0000

I reckon they’re only legalists because they tie it up to their salvation in some way. If they are ever wrong, then it follows that they may be unsaved. I think that’s why you can never win an argument with a real legalist. And also why you should never try. When I tell people to avoid them because they will never change they think I’m uncaring but the plain fact is that they can’t see another point of view – it’s too dangerous for them.

By: Dave B

Dave B — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:50:31 +0000

Newbigin has a great quote that applies across a broad range of things, and works particularly well with regards to this topic:

“Hold to Christ, and to all else be uncommitted”

Good ol’ Newbigin!

By: Simon

Simon — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:28:39 +0000

I couldn’t have said this better. As a reformed legalist myself, also when I was a younger man, there is just no convincing a legalist of legalism.
When you position yourself as a protector of truth, everything becomes a threat.
They really are among the saddest of people I know. I feel like grabbing some legalist dudes, shaking them and have them repeat three times whilst clicking their heals together:

I have come that you may have life . . .
I have come that you may have life . . .
I have come that you may have life . . .

By: Janene Gageler

Janene Gageler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:45:50 +0000

Totally agree. This seems to be tearing our churches apart at the moment. If only we could follow Jesus example and not the pharasee’s.