How to Recognize Pharisaic Legalism (John 7:45-52)

These days, Christians are all too eager to slap the label "legalist" on someone.  I'm willing to say that more often than not it's a false charge; the charge of "legalism" against someone is usually given because that person has high standards of holiness and expects that of other Christians as well.  Consequently, these "legalists" make others uncomfortable with their own level of sanctification and holiness (or, more aptly, the lack thereof) or because they have firm, definitive, studied (="legalistic") positions on an issue.  While our post-modern culture, and the all-too-often capitulating corresponding church subculture, the emerging church, would tell us that not really being certain or at least too firm on anything is a virtue, the Bible warrants (and even commands) certainty on matters of truth.  Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32).

However, I do think that sometimes Christians who are very strong in their beliefs and practice do tend toward, or even cross the line into, a form of legalism.  Perhaps legalism is not the right word; I suppose it depends on the issue at hand and exactly what one says about a given issue.  Let's define legalism.  Biblically, strictly speaking, legalism is adding the works of the Law as requirements to salvation, either omitting Christ and mandating that one keep the Mosaic Law (strict Judaism) or requiring faith in Christ but also requiring the keeping of the Mosaic Law in whole or in part (Judaizers).  So technically legalism is any view that does not hold to salvation by God's grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work alone as the basis, means, and grounds of salvation.  That's legalism, strictly speaking, so the term should not, in my opinion, be applied as widely as it is today, especially to genuinely saved saints of God who nevertheless have very strict understandings or lifestyles.  However, there is, as I said, the tendency toward "legalism" (as is popularly understood), but perhaps we should use a different term, such as "rigidity" or "inflexibility" or Pharisaism or, as I have entitled this post, Pharisaic legalism.  (Side note: those poor Pharisees get hammered a lot.  Almost makes me feel sorry for them.)

Read John 7:45-52 (and some more context would also be good).

NOTE: I am well aware that in the overall context of John, recognizing Pharisaic legalism is not the main point of this passage and that the real issue for John is what this says about Jesus.  But the truth is there no less and may be considered a valid, secondary reading of the text.  Oh the depth of the riches of the word of God!

Here then, are seven traits that help us recognize when someone is crossing the border into legalistic territory:

1. Legalists have a specific, personal agenda (v. 45).  
2. Legalists often work together, even if they are of different groups, to achieve a particular agenda (v. 45).
3. Legalists set themselves up as the standard against which others should be measured, especially in what to believe (vv. 47-48).
4. Legalists view themselves and their abilities with an air of superiority and put down or dismiss others' beliefs and understandings, especially the "commoners" (v. 49).
5. Legalists quickly dismiss any question of their beliefs, methods, or motives, even if the question is a legitimate one with reasonable basis (vv. 50-52).
6. Legalists tend to view any question as personal attack and thus respond with a personal attack or questioning of the person rather than the issue, the classic ad hominem fallacy (v. 52a).
7. Legalists are absolutely settled in their position, convinced that they are right based on past study--and make no attempt to check and see if the objections are valid (v. 52b).

In the words of Jesus, these type of people "tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger."  Just prior to that, He warned, "But do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them"  (Matthew 23:4, 3b, resp.).  Legalists--even true Christians who tend toward Pharisaism--will exhibit the seven traits above.  The reality is they have high standards for themselves and others that they themselves do not and cannot meet.  Let me state clearly that there is nothing wrong with having high standards in the Christian life, whether of knowledge, practice, holiness, righteousness, or whatever; in fact, we are called to Christ-likeness, or, in a word, perfection.  But the problem comes when you have high standards that you yourself do not meet, but pretend that you do, and lay such burdens on others.  To make matters worse, these Pharisaic legalists are really crushing the spirits of those around them with their oppressive demeanor.  This is not in keeping with the Spirit of Christ at all, for Scripture says

A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly lit wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.  Isaiah 42:3

Furthermore, He was the one who said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11: 28-30).  Let us all strive to be like our Savior in all things, and not least of all in how we walk with each other on this common path of true faith.  To those who have strong views of liberty, let them be sure to walk in holiness and refrain from labeling as a legalist anyone who disagrees with them.  To those who tend toward Pharisaism, let them be compassionate, gracious, patient, understanding, and humble and refrain from being too quick to pass condemnatory judgment on the servant of His own Master.