tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post6798629362329865238..comments2023-10-24T05:35:00.084-05:00Comments on SoulPastor: The Darker Side of Christianity Part 1SoulPastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-29961151372406090032008-03-03T10:59:00.000-06:002008-03-03T10:59:00.000-06:00km, my interpretation of legalism is when others b...km, my interpretation of legalism is when others begin to judge us as not a true Christian, or less of a Christian; or a true church or not a true church, based on what we choose to do or are not doing. The rules they are judging us on are often culturally created ones, not Biblical.<BR/><BR/>For instance, someone I know got mad when I accepted a glass of wine at a Christmas dinner. She told meAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-76125329654799774422008-03-02T23:02:00.000-06:002008-03-02T23:02:00.000-06:00so i'm a little confused, what is the definition o...so i'm a little confused, what is the definition of legalism and how is it different thatn following the rules? <BR/>we all need rules to hold society together i guess my question is at what point is it legalism?<BR/>is it following the letter of the law and not the spirit of it with no exceptions?<BR/>if so are there any absolute rules?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-44458920391828779172008-03-01T23:50:00.000-06:002008-03-01T23:50:00.000-06:00No kidding. We don't need any pastor or church ba...No kidding. We don't need any pastor or church bashing here. anonymous: "you can be disloyal & slander someone through 'hinting' on your blog". Are you kidding me? What are you hinting at?<BR/>Maybe you should talk in person with soul pastor. Don't be hurting!<BR/><BR/>As for legalism...my spouse and I have really reflected on our lives this week. ie: Why do we say grace - has it become Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-84523156683908783592008-03-01T01:34:00.000-06:002008-03-01T01:34:00.000-06:00I also want to say with the number of pastors givi...I also want to say with the number of pastors giving up, and the declining population of the churches around us, we don't need any pastor or church bashing going on. We are all on God's team.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-12413351263837116732008-03-01T01:27:00.000-06:002008-03-01T01:27:00.000-06:00The Internet can cause a little paranoia at times ...The Internet can cause a little paranoia at times and I think the poster who is worried about the "targetting" of someone or some group, is falling into that zone.<BR/><BR/>I also think Karen's story goes along the legalism theme in that ultimately she gave up some "rules" for the good of her children. That is what we want for the hurting community and for God's children too. Blessings. <BR/><BR/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-56958997160197254332008-02-29T13:37:00.000-06:002008-02-29T13:37:00.000-06:00I think that some forms of legalism have started w...I think that some forms of legalism have started with the best of intentions. As an example from my own faith heritage, the Mennonite Brethren conference in Russia in the 1800s decided to ban dancing, because at that time dances were rife with alcohol abuse; people leaving dances were literally falling down drunk in the streets. At the time it was a wise decision. Fast forward to today, and many Manetherenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05658870115909274539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-43519252003418647152008-02-28T11:56:00.000-06:002008-02-28T11:56:00.000-06:00KarenThanks for the thoughts...I love what you sai...Karen<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the thoughts...<BR/>I love what you said... "if we spent less time evaluating others and more time with letting God change and stretch us. Even the seemingly 'non spiritual' experiences in life like getting a dog can lead us to new appreciation for God's goodness and grace when we trust him to prepare us for what lies ahead."<BR/><BR/>Wow!SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-52103255748379724422008-02-28T10:52:00.000-06:002008-02-28T10:52:00.000-06:00Hi! Okay, so the previous conversations were start...Hi! Okay, so the previous conversations were starting to sound a little defensive and uncomfortable. I was reading them and thinking about my life. It seems that people may get caught up in legalism for possibly two reasons. First, they really don't understand about the beauty of God's grace towards them. Secondly, they maybe need to allow themselves to be more regularly and personally Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-54498506944959573732008-02-27T18:25:00.000-06:002008-02-27T18:25:00.000-06:00MistySorry, I did not know you were referring to t...Misty<BR/><BR/>Sorry, I did not know you were referring to the abstract comment I posted from Romans. <BR/><BR/>In Romans, Paul does not immediately point his finger at the Jew as the object of his attention. But it becomes evident at verse 17 that this has been his purpose from the outset of the chapter. Some have understood the first 16 verses of chapter as 2 directed toward the Gentile SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-81970171476436580532008-02-27T17:58:00.000-06:002008-02-27T17:58:00.000-06:00Thanks for the clarification on the verse. That m...Thanks for the clarification on the verse. That makes sense (except I think you meant Romans not Galations.)Mistyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10256786360048614849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-2317434888336682412008-02-27T16:13:00.000-06:002008-02-27T16:13:00.000-06:00So, here is it is…This blog is a place in which I ...So, here is it is…<BR/><BR/>This blog is a place in which I can share my thoughts and feelings and allow others, such as yourself to share theirs. I try to let people into my thoughts and life (to some degree) through this blog but also it becomes a place where discussion can be made on certain issues. Clearly there are people inside and outside of my spiritual community who read this blog who SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-91113821274235527272008-02-27T14:47:00.000-06:002008-02-27T14:47:00.000-06:00Your earlier comment "So, here is a hint; I am dea...Your earlier comment "So, here is a hint; I am dealing with a number of people outside of my spiritual community who might fall into the catagory of a legalist."<BR/><BR/>Clearly there are a number of people that read your blog that know that you are commenting about them. Could your 'hints' be little jabs at those outside of your spiritual community? And by outside of your spiritual community Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-58684636147122447082008-02-27T14:26:00.000-06:002008-02-27T14:26:00.000-06:00Not sure what you are "hinting' at? Care to elabor...Not sure what you are "hinting' at? Care to elaborate?SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-13490492583185270962008-02-27T14:10:00.000-06:002008-02-27T14:10:00.000-06:00soulpastor. . . I recently read this quote "You ca...soulpastor. . . <BR/><BR/>I recently read this quote "You can be disloyal & slander someone through silence and facial expressions". <BR/><BR/>I think there are other ways you can be disloyal and slander. Maybe you can also be disloyal & slander someone through 'hinting' on your blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-364726324451828332008-02-27T07:40:00.000-06:002008-02-27T07:40:00.000-06:00MistyIn the Galatians 2 quote the context is regua...Misty<BR/><BR/>In the Galatians 2 quote the context is reguarding both Jewish and Gentile Christians. In Verse 16Paul reminds Jewish Christians that they were not able to earn justification through law-keeping; rather, like the Gentile Christians, the Jewish believers, too, were justified by faith in Christ. Spiritual superiority could not be claimed by the Jewish Christians if they were saved inSoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-40917605863814043342008-02-26T22:27:00.000-06:002008-02-26T22:27:00.000-06:00I'm confused.From what I understand in the passage...I'm confused.<BR/><BR/>From what I understand in the passage of Scripture you are quoting Paul is refering to Christians who are critical of pagans yet still do many of the same things they do (we are all guilty of that to some extent.) So are you meaning to say that's what legalists do or say that we should stop judging legalists?Mistyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10256786360048614849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-36064289156281568732008-02-26T08:03:00.000-06:002008-02-26T08:03:00.000-06:00"Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But i..."Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-69994450173661950922008-02-25T14:11:00.000-06:002008-02-25T14:11:00.000-06:00"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;where t..."Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;<BR/>where there is hatred, let me sow love;<BR/>when there is injury, pardon;<BR/>where there is doubt, faith;<BR/>where there is despair, hope;<BR/>where there is darkness, light;<BR/>and where there is sadness, joy.<BR/>Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;<BR/>to be understood, as to understand,<BR/>to be loved as to love;<Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-56016071211320376152008-02-25T07:41:00.000-06:002008-02-25T07:41:00.000-06:00AnonymousUltimately, only GOD knows your heart. I ...Anonymous<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, only GOD knows your heart. I must confess, there have been times where I have eaten my food in public without praying first. So, what now? <BR/><BR/>I hear what you are saying regarding the pressure to be spiritual and being a good witness. Which leads me to ask what is more effective for evangelism; saying grace in public or just being a friend and loving your SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-51632393992283788862008-02-24T23:24:00.000-06:002008-02-24T23:24:00.000-06:00Soulpastor, this is the web of legalism. When ask...Soulpastor, this is the web of legalism. When asking if thanking God at other times counts, I see your point about God and his score board, but I think what I'm thinking more of is with other Christians? Will they consider that I might just do my thanks another time another way?<BR/><BR/>I hear so many Christians comment about things like "are we afraid to say grace in public", or "be a good Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-40465025141235625102008-02-24T00:28:00.000-06:002008-02-24T00:28:00.000-06:00As someone who was once considered a modern day Ph...As someone who was once considered a modern day Pharisee, I find legalism so offensive that I have to restrain myself from saying or doing something that is in itself offensive. I used to be proud of the fact that I "spoke for God" and could point out those people that would or would not be going to Heaven.<BR/>As one who used to worship the rules and judged any that couldn't keep to "my Jehu 2 Kings 9:20https://www.blogger.com/profile/05897690039454644208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-17408881240887678332008-02-23T14:11:00.000-06:002008-02-23T14:11:00.000-06:00Anonymous 1 Sorry to hear about your battle. I can...Anonymous 1 <BR/><BR/>Sorry to hear about your battle. I can understand on how you felt that “grace” was just NOT that! You asked if it is a ‘requirement’ to which I would quickly respond no, but rather a practice/discipline of thanksgiving and acknowledging GOD for his provision. But the attitude behind our prayers and what follows is key and goes hand in hand. I can see your confusion with SoulPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16895899771239455942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-90349309840305395942008-02-23T09:58:00.000-06:002008-02-23T09:58:00.000-06:00It is indeed legalism that has driven scores of pe...It is indeed legalism that has driven scores of people away from the Church and ultimately, from God.<BR/>How is it that this has been passed down through the ages? And I am still surprised that today it remains widely accepted in the Christian church. My peers do it! <BR/>I don't understand how we can't see that these 'man-made' rules were never God's rules, and so many people that were/are Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-48074992131907929202008-02-22T23:12:00.000-06:002008-02-22T23:12:00.000-06:00There were many times growing up having my dad be ...There were many times growing up having my dad be sooo...legalistic with his own family, especially my mom; and would make her feel unholy and impure and at the same time writing out scripture versus line by line, all in the same evening - this made me so angry; and I wondered where it all started in his walk as a christian; and believe it was the influence of the church growing up in - the Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13902709.post-77429723794127897512008-02-22T12:03:00.000-06:002008-02-22T12:03:00.000-06:00Something that I have wondered if it is legalistic...Something that I have wondered if it is legalistic is saying grace.<BR/><BR/>I was brought up in a family that dad rambled off the same prayer at every meal. Us children had to sit quitely through it while the food got cold. I grew more and more resistant to this forced piety that to me became nothing more than a ritual,followed by dinner time of sibling squabbles and parental scrutiny and Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com