“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deut. 5:32 Legalism Legalism = bind - make laws Right Liberal Liberal = loosen or go beyondLeft

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Mt.16:19 Forbid where God has not Allow where God has not LegalismLiberalism

I. Compare Legalism and Liberalism Restrain Overdoes God looks mean Loose Distort God is indulgent Legalists Liberals

II. Liberalism Defines things in a special way Believe in God, but not the God of the Bible Believe in Christ, but not the Christ of the Bible Believe in inspiration, but not what the Bible claims

Low view of inspiration and authority Denies plenary inspiration Denies miraculous elements Basic error of liberalism

Liberal may say “I believe that the Bible contains the word of God”. Difference in saying that the Bible contains the word of God and in saying that the Bible is the word of God. Basic error of liberalism

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Gal. 1:11-12

Liberalism is that philosophy that seeks to escape the restrictions of the Bible by releasing men from it’s guidelines. The Bible is not the final authority for liberals. Liberalism

III. The Liberal Agenda 1. Baptism1. Baptism –Change in Emphasis –Some deny teaching on baptism –God accepts individual –Ought not be dogmatic –Faith more important

III. The Liberal Agenda 2. Worship2. Worship –Calling for instrumental music –Say it is a matter of opinion –Some use them now Liberalism calls for Worship to be entertainment

III. The Liberal Agenda 3. Role of Women3. Role of Women –Disregard 1 Tim. 2:11-12 –Want women to lead in worship –Some allow women preachers

III. The Liberal Agenda 4. Fellowship with others4. Fellowship with others –Join with denominations –Misapply Romans 14 –Fellowship extended to all

III. The Liberal Agenda 5. Change of plea5. Change of plea –Abandon restoration plea –Join with denominations –“One among many”

III. The Liberal Agenda 6. Change Salvation by Grace6. Change Salvation by Grace –Grace covers all differences –Cannot know the truth –Do not know who is right

III. The Liberal Agenda......many others such as many others such as... Divorce and RemarriageDivorce and Remarriage Lord’s Supper on weeknightsLord’s Supper on weeknights Tongue speakingTongue speaking Deny Virgin BirthDeny Virgin Birth These are examples of liberalism Or Modernism!!!

IV. Never Imagined these... Radio – pray a sinner’s prayerRadio – pray a sinner’s prayer No wrong in women eldersNo wrong in women elders Faithful Christians in allFaithful Christians in all Women preachersWomen preachers Open fellowshipOpen fellowship Salvation by “grace alone”Salvation by “grace alone” Instrumental musicInstrumental music

Goes to the left Allows where God does not Does not accept inspiration The other extreme of legalism

 Going to the Right  Making laws where God has not made a law  Just as wrong to make a law as it is to break a law  We are not law makers

Fails to recognize the difference between matters of faith and matters of opinion. Treat matters of faith as matters of opinion.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth is understandable –Eph.5:17 Truth is attainable – 1 Tim.2:3-4

“Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;” “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;” Josh.23:6 Legalism Liberalism

By Arthur Pigman By Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ Evans Church of Christ Evans, Georgia Evans, Georgia Sunday Evening – 12 December 2004 Sunday Evening – 12 December 2004