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Originally Posted by Socialite
Negative, MB. Paul did not justify legalism. The issue of eating food offered to idols was hardly a "rule of the Church" nor taught as a way to "be Holy." In fact, Paul's attention to this issue was just the opposite. At the same time, the uniqueness of a new Jewish Church, forming into a wild Jesus Movement brought some very exceptional situations... this being one of them.
In your example, the culprits are those who made something law when God never did. At least the Jews can claim that they were obeying God's law.
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You're missing my point; regardless of the reasons for Paul's statements, the outcome was the same:
1. There were believers who had weaknesses in certain areas
2. Partaking in the liberties of others OR seeing other Christians partake in liberties could cause them to stumble
3. Paul asked those who felt more freedom to be careful of those *weaker* believers
My point is not to support a pastor beating his congregation over the head with rules; my point is to acknowledge the existence of weaknesses in other believers and show that we are short-sighted when we brush off the possibility, or worse, brush off Christians we view as weak.
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And this principle goes far beyond the example here. This is a principle lib and con churches alike should uphold. In Romans 14, Paul is much more articulate about this.
The fact is, this young man bought into moralism and rules. He left and perhaps violated his own conscience, and does what many do when they leave UPC-type churches... FREAK OUT HARD. It's like 18-year olds leaving Mom's house all over again. Their make-up looks horrible. Hairdo experimentation. Bouts with vanity. Sexual immorality. They don't "feel" saved anymore (because the rules gave them that feeling), and they start acting in ways an unsaved person would. Legalism kills. Even if they stay in their churches, young men like this, I'm not sure, really are believers. They are obeyers.
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Exactly. All of these things are realities. So, what can churches which preach and teach liberty do to help such people? And no, I would NOT discount other believers who have weaknesses in their relationship with God or in their faith as not being believers at all. That's no different than cons pointing to people who walk with God in liberty as unbelievers, discounting them altogether as fellow Christians. The problem needs to be solved and those people need to be salvaged; not brushed off as never having been right with God in the first place.
Further, to address the way your framing the topic, not all pastors "beat their congregations over the head" with rules. Some put rules in place they see as necessary for one reason or another--and even liberal pastors do that. I think we should show respect for the insight of pastors into their congregations' needs. Just like some people flounder when they are pressed under someone's thumb too hard, others flounder when they aren't pressed at all.
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