How would you define AFF?

[crakjak]

Hoovie!!!

Of course the UPC is legalistic, just because you accept the mode of dress, etc.(which is very liberal from a Amish point of view) doesn't make it any less legalistic.

It is legalistic because there are consequences for not following the prescribed doctrines and standards. Even shunning in many places.

The UPC has changed a great deal toward a more graceful attitude, but it still struggles with its roots.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by crakjak

Hoovie!!!

Of course the UPC is legalistic, just because you accept the mode of dress, etc.(which is very liberal from a Amish point of view) doesn't make it any less legalistic.

It is legalistic because there are consequences for not following the prescribed doctrines and standards. Even shunning in many places.
.

But as Jason is exploring in another thread, every denom pretty much has their own set of minimum "standards" or whatever you wish to call them.

Legalism says one cannot please God unless you please me first - and will judge all who don't bow. It could be about dress, but it need not be. I know some "non standards" churches that are legalistic IMO.

For example; Some Trinitarians have a rather legalistic approach to baptism and the Eucharist.

I don't believe all Amish and Old Order Mennonites are legalistic nor are all or most in the UPC.

The real acid test is whether one judges the eternal destination of those Christians who do things differently than our own custom. I am not at all sure that conservative Christians have a higher incidence of legalism than their more liberal counterparts.

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

But as Jason is exploring in another thread, every denom pretty much has their own set of minimum "standards" or whatever you wish to call them.

Ok, Hoovie, I read this too quickly and thought you wrote, "demon"....

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

Ok, Hoovie, I read this too quickly and though you wrote, "demon"....

LOL! Our eyes can play those tricks - or perhaps it's a freudian thing... For I minute I thought you wrote, " though you wrote, demon..."

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

LOL! Our eyes can play those tricks - or perhaps it's a freudian thing... For I minute I thought you wrote, " though you wrote, demon..."

Ooops, I did But i didn't mean it THAT way...

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

But as Jason is exploring in another thread, every denom pretty much has their own set of minimum "standards" or whatever you wish to call them.

Legalism says one cannot please God unless you please me first - and will judge all who don't bow. It could be about dress, but it need not be. I know some "non standards" churches that are legalistic IMO.

For example; Some Trinitarians have a rather legalistic approach to baptism and the Eucharist.

I don't believe all Amish and Old Order Mennonites are legalistic nor are all or most in the UPC.

The real acid test is whether one judges the eternal destination of those Christians who do things differently than our own custom. I am not at all sure that conservative Christians have a higher incidence of legalism than their more liberal counterparts.

My take is that this the essence of "legalism." It is the idea that you the Christian believer must "earn" their salvation as opposed to receiving it as a free gift.

"Legalism" comes from the practice of many first century Christians who said believers had to obey the LAW of Moses in order to obtain a right standing with God. They said that "The Law" was the way to salvation in addition to Jesus Christ.

I've never known Amish who observed "The Law" of Moses, so technically they could not be true "legalist" no matter strict their other rules or customs may have been. On the other hand, I did meet some kind Mennonite folks who were actually quite "evangelical" about the "free gift" of salvation even though they also observed the traditional Amish lifestyle, at what appeared to me to have been the traditional way.