An Analysis of the 2021 Annual SBC Gathering

Interesting Article. I notice that he did not define what he meant by “legalism”, I guess assuming everyone understood what he meant. I would like to see specifics of what he thinks is “legalism”. While the SBC focuses on racial issues, the issue of female pastors remains in the background.

In most conservative evangelical circles, I’ve learned that “legalism” generally doesn’t mean “trusting in dead works for salvation” (the proper definition, but who would admit this?), but rather “rules for conduct that one rejects.”

I try to avoid the term for that reason—it’s just picking a fight that is generally needless. Love some of the things going on in the SBC, am profoundly concerned about others (including female pastorates), praying for them.

I think the term “Pharisaism” might be more helpful.

Terms usually need defining, including “Pharisaism”. The Pharisees weren’t all bad. Christ excoriates them in Mt 23, but even there Christ encourages people to listen to what they say. Their problem, among others, was hypocrisy. The terms “legalism” and “Pharisaism” are necessary terms but often produce more emotional reaction than anything else.

….is that the Pharisees actually did trust in their works for salvation, no? “Pharisaism” accurately captures the notion of “fencing off” the actual laws of God with additional rules. However, since very few people today, at least within a broad definition of Christianity, admit trusting in their works, it’s a deficient term, IMO, for describing people today.

I’ve tried “rulesism”, though I must admit it’s rather clumsy, but it’s my best try so far.

https://jeffstraub.net/reflections-on-attending-the-sbc-2021-convention…

https://jeffstraub.net/abortion-abolitionism-and-the-sbc-further-reflec…

[Bert Perry]

In most conservative evangelical circles, I’ve learned that “legalism” generally doesn’t mean “trusting in dead works for salvation” (the proper definition, but who would admit this?), but rather “rules for conduct that one rejects.”

…

“Anything the church doesn’t want to do it calls legalism.” AW Tozer