Breaking The Bond Of Legalism

Neil Anderson (author of the bestselling "The Bondage Breaker(TM)") and his coauthors expose the trauma of legalism--and show how Christ liberates us from trying to be "good enough for God." According to a recent poll, 57 percent of Christians strongly agree the Christian life is well summed-up as "trying hard to do what God commands." But biblically, making laws our "lord" estranges us from Christ! The authors reveal... "the chains of legalism: " shame, guilt, pride "the keys to liberty: " knowing who we are in Christ, resting in the Father's love "the life of freedom: " joyful friendship with God, obedience viewed properly Here's encouragement for defeated believers--and an appeal to the church to be free in Christ.

Neil Anderson (author of the bestselling The Bondage Breaker™) and his coauthors expose the trauma of legalism--and show how Christ liberates us from trying to be "good enough for God." According to a recent poll, 57 percent of Christians strongly agree the Christian life is well summed-up as "trying hard to do what God commands." But biblically, making laws our "lord" estranges us from Christ! The authors reveal... the chains of legalism: shame, guilt, pride the keys to liberty: knowing who we are in Christ, resting in the Father's love the life of freedom: joyful friendship with God, obedience viewed properly Here's encouragement for defeated believers--and an appeal to the church to be free in Christ.

Neil Anderson, author of the bestselling The Bondage BreakerTM, and his coauthors expose the trauma of legalism to let you see how Christ frees you from your efforts to be “good enough for God.” Far too many Christians believe that the Christian life is “trying hard to do what God commands.” But making laws into lords estranges you from Christ. In this liberating book, the authors uncover the chains of legalism: shame, guilt, and pride the keys to liberty: knowing who you are in Christ and resting in the Father’s love the life of freedom: experiencing joyful friendship with God and obeying Him because you love Him If you’re weighed down by rules you can’t possibly keep, here’s encouragement and an appeal to the church to be free in Christ. Previously titled Breaking the Bondage of Legalism.

A psychologist who admits his own tendency to legalism, Miller speaks to those who exchange absolute values based on the Bible for absolute values based on preference. Miller looks at the irrationality and misplaced focus of misused authority and shows how to develop a more healthy Christian life.

The authors in this compilation address the issue of legalism from a variety of angles. John MacArthur shows, first that obedience to God is not an issue of legalism, but an issue of love. In his second chapter, he deals with the inevitable response of people who are confronted with Biblical standards, "Judge not that ye be not judged." Here MacArthur shows what our Lord meant when He said that, and shows what biblical discernment really is, that there is a vast difference between judgmental and holding people accountable to God's standards. Phil Johnson, in his first chapter, deals with Christian liberty. In his second chapter, he takes a critical look at two kinds of legalism, then explores the relationship of Christian love and Christian liberty. Joel Beeke shows that enthusiasm for God's law is not necessarily legalism. One can be zealous without being legalistic. As David wrote: "Oh, how I love Thy Law!" Bruce Bickel explains that legalism is due to a weak understanding of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Jim Elliff makes clear that legalism is an attack on unity within the Body of Christ, particularly local congregations. Ken Talbot helps us to see that legalism is inconsistent with and incompatible with the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He points out that the doctrine of "free will" leads to this dangerous position. Rick Phillips explores the relationship to loving God and obeying His law. Some today believe that love is all that matters, and that the law as a guideline to love is extinct. Then this author shows that Biblical sanctification is the antidote to and the opposite of legalism. Steven J. Lawson shows that legalism is the result of holding to man-made traditions over the truth of God's Word. Second, he points out how dangerous and deadly a thing legalism is and why. Table of Contents: 1. Introduction: What Legalism Is, What Legalism Does - Don Kistler 2. Truth Vs. Tradition - Stephen J. Lawson 3. Love and God's Law - Richard D. Philips 4. The Cross Is Enough - Bruce Bickel 5. The Danger of Legalism - Steven J. Lawson 6. Obedience: Love or Legalism? - John MacArthur 7. Zealous But not Legalistic - Joel Beeke 8. The Plague of Free-Will Moralism - Kenneth Talbot 9. Judging Vs. Biblical Discernment - John MacArthur 10. Stand Fast in Liberty - Phil Johnson 11. Real Love and Real Liberty - Phil Johnson 12. What Freedom From the Law Accomplishes For the Local Church - Jim Elliff 13. Biblical Sanctification: The Antidote to Legalism - Richard D. Philips

John chapter seventeen records Jesus' prayer for unity among his followers, which did not appear to be answered in the affi rmative. In the eighteenth century a movement began in the eastern United States to address the obvious division of Christendom. This Restoration Movement was inclusive, inviting people to leave Christian denominations and return to the Bible alone for spiritual guidance. Thus, "speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent" became their mantra. In 1801 this movement kindled a large revival centered at the Cane Ridge Meeting House (cover of book) near Paris, Kentucky. Churches birthed by this movement grew and spread rapidly to both the frontier and the cities. However, within fi fty years, conflict and division began to arise in these churches as some became more sectarian and others more legalistic, resulting in three primary groups: the Disciples of Christ, the Independent Christian Church, and the Church of Christ. Of these groups, the Church of Christ was the most conservative, with many congregations taking silence of the Scriptures as prohibitive of everything not written in the two thousand-year old text, resulting in more confl ict and division. Thus, the Restoration Movement had run amuck, becoming mired in its own swamp of legalism. Th is book seeks to identify what went wrong, and what changes in attitude, behavior, and conversation are necessary to get the unity train back on its track.

DIVExposing Legalism in the Pulpit If you have been hurt by the church, receive healing and restoration through Christ. /div

In 1517, Martin Luther took a stand for justification by faith alone in the finished work of Christ upon Calvary. As a result of his position, he suffered persecution for adhering to the Scriptures alone and not to traditions. This book traces my spiritual journey from legalism to freedom in Christ. In sixteen chapters, I map out my heritage within the Churches of Christ and the motivations that eventually led me out of bondage to liberty. One of the lengthiest chapters in this book is "Where the Scriptures Speak." One objective of this chapter is to help individuals to understand that one may speak where the Bible speaks and not necessarily speak as the Bible speaks. Chapters 11, 12, and 13 represent the very heart of my escape from authoritarianism to my dependence upon God's righteousness, a righteousness from God through faith in Jesus. Chapter 14 focuses on preaching in the early church. Without an understanding of the Gospel that the apostles proclaimed, Christians will never learn the spirit of toleration for differences within the Christian community. Chapters 8, 15, and 16 give attention to the Last Supper. The communion should be a constant reminder of the Cross and true unity among God's children. Chapter 1, 2, and 3 outline my original journey of faith. Dallas Burdette has been a serious student, teacher and preacher of the Bible for fifty-eight years, supporting himself for many years as an agent for AFLAC. He has written numerous articles for religious journals, as well as many essays and sermons which are available on his website. He has developed a keen interest in promoting unity among God's people through a more accurate reading of the Word. He has degrees from Amridge University (formerly Southern Christian University) where he also was Director of Extended Learning for five years. He holds the Doctor of Ministry degree (1999) from Erskine Theological Seminary.