Celia Stone: Legalism is a false gospel

In Paul’s day, the Judaizers, or those in the “circumcision party,” were sowing confusion in their attempt to force Gentile Christians to abide by the Mosaic Law. They taught that salvation only could be attained if male Gentile converts were circumcised. Paul strongly condemned this distortion of the gospel.

“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain — if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?”

“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’ The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” Galatians 3:1-5, 10-13a

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves by burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” Galatians 5:1, 4

Throughout history, people have had a tendency to veer away from Christ’s freeing and joyous call to salvation by grace through faith and towards human-made rules. In some ways, it seems easier to have all of life organized into neat divisions of “right” and “wrong,” without any need for personal discernment or reliance on the Holy Spirit. We understand, however, that life is messy and that many situations fall into those dreaded gray areas. Even if we could become more and more “right,” we never could earn our way to God.

One organization that promotes legalistic teaching is the Institute for Basic Life Principles. A 2023 documentary called “Shiny Happy People” exposes how damaging this has been in the lives of countless young folks, especially for the 30-plus women who allege sexual harassment or abuse at the hands of founder Bill Gothard at various times during his 60 years of ministry.

Many of Gothard’s IBLP teachings are rooted in Scripture, but with unfortunate twists that do not reflect the love or grace of Jesus. Other instructions seem to be pulled out of thin air. IBLP probably began with good intentions to develop faithful followers of Jesus Christ through an outreach to teens, parents and children.

Their promotion of homeschooling, moral purity, financial responsibility and strong families could have gone in a much more positive direction. Tragically, a culture of abuse prevailed as young women who came for counseling were led to believe that their immodest dress or attitudes contributed to sexual molestation.

Every ministry must be evaluated by their active commitment to demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus Christ as spelled out in Scripture. None of us should burden believers with extra-biblical rules or regulations.