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Been having an interesting e-discussion re: legalistic tendencies, specifically focusing on the use of foul language.

My basic premise is that there really is no good use of foul language in any way. You’ll have to read the post I linked to for the whole story, but basically profanity is profaning. Making less the good that God intended. That’s oversimplified… but, not my point here.

In the course of the discussion, she touched on some people’s decision to avoid alcohol at all costs. And actually, that is me in a way too. I don’t avoid it at all costs, I just don’t want any. Ever. So… that’s not hard for me.

But I don’t push that on other people.

That, I believe, is the root of legalism. This strange compulsion to not only tell everyone else what you think on a certain controversial subject, but to beat them over the head in any way possible until they completely agree with you. 🙂 That has been my friend’s experience (I think) with people who don’t “swear” and who don’t drink. It’s not enough to have the personal conviction… all of those around you should be similarly convicted. Or their Big Nasty Sin Do-ers!

We also hold some pretty radical views on relationships. We think dating leads to WAY more harm than it helps… and the coolest part of a relationship is not the game playing of a dating relationship, but the 100% commitment of a marriage, where there is complete freedom to love and be loved – because you don’t have to earn the other person’s love… or meet their expectations. It makes tons of sense to us, and we have shared the picture we see of God’s ideal relationship from Scripture with lots of groups of people… even in the beginning stages of a book. BUT… (regardless of what some people say…) we DO NOT push this on people. We present the thinking behind it… but there is no pushing.

Legalism is pushy. It says my way is very clear, and very right… and YOU need to follow it. There are not only lots of rules for me, but lots of rules for you too, and you are not a real Christian if you don’t follow them.

That obviously can get dangerous.

I am dealing with lots of stuff in my head tonight. I am sure it will make it to the blog page eventually. But for now… it remains in my head. Much of it deals with opposing worldviews slamming into each other, and some attempts at forced compliance. On many sides. I am trying to sift through when that is OK, and when that borders on legalism.

I’ll let you know what I come up with.