One of the best articles I've read in a long time

[DRDS]

This goes along well with my thread that I did on Fred Phelps, and is one of the best articles I've read regarding Christianity this year and possibly ever. Let me know what you think. It's called "Legalism the Dark Side of Christianity" by Don Koening.

http://www.thepropheticyears.com/commen ... tanity.htm

[GreyDeSilvisanctis]

The article is a fine elaboration of the legalistic christian view.
With all the fuss about the rising lukewarm church or the Laodicea, it is good that we look at the other side of the spectrum that equally is just as corrupting in faith and in freedom.

I agree then that it is a good read.

~Grey

[PaulSacramento]

Here is the thing, people "like" rules and laws, not like in the sense that they like, like (LOL) but in the sense tha5t they take some comfort in them.
Having it spelled out in "black n white" is food because we all know what to do.
But what happens when "doing" isn't enough?
Then the responsibility of finding out becomes ours.
People don't like responsibility.
EX:
My Jw family believes that their door-to-door preaching is not only a fulfillment of the grand commission to preach the gospel BUT that it is a necessity for rewards in the after life, they believe that only by following the WT and what the WT says, are they in the truth and the WT tellls them that the only sigh of faith and belief is door-to-door preaching. In short, they have been told what to do to assure salvation and what they do is door-to-door teaching ( and attending the X number of meetings they have to per month).
There is no need to wonder, " Am I doing enough?" or "Am I being a good christian?" because that has been answered for them.
Works based salvation? Not that they would ever admit to it of course.
In short, they like the overly legalistic approach - do this, preach this months Awake, attend meetings and assemblies and you are doing the good works that Jesus said- because they have it spelled out for them, nice and neat.

[RickD]

PaulS wrote:
My Jw family believes that their door-to-door preaching is not only a fulfillment of the grand commission to preach the gospel BUT that it is a necessity for rewards in the after life, they believe that only by following the WT and what the WT says, are they in the truth and the WT tellls them that the only sigh of faith and belief is door-to-door preaching. In short, they have been told what to do to assure salvation and what they do is door-to-door teaching ( and attending the X number of meetings they have to per month).
There is no need to wonder, " Am I doing enough?" or "Am I being a good christian?" because that has been answered for them.
Works based salvation?

Some might say that it's NOT works based because it is God working through them when they go door to door...

[PaulSacramento]

PaulS wrote:
My Jw family believes that their door-to-door preaching is not only a fulfillment of the grand commission to preach the gospel BUT that it is a necessity for rewards in the after life, they believe that only by following the WT and what the WT says, are they in the truth and the WT tellls them that the only sigh of faith and belief is door-to-door preaching. In short, they have been told what to do to assure salvation and what they do is door-to-door teaching ( and attending the X number of meetings they have to per month).
There is no need to wonder, " Am I doing enough?" or "Am I being a good christian?" because that has been answered for them.
Works based salvation?

Some might say that it's NOT works based because it is God working through them when they go door to door...

Indeed and the issue is that one man's work is another man's divine inspiration.
Of course the fact that they keep time cards kind of makes one wonder why God needs a time sheet, LOL !