Is anyone . . I mean anyone more legalistic than Catholics?
The quick answer is >NO.
Legalism is a term by many Christians use as a ‘pejorative’ term if they don’t like what is in the Bible.
Some of the Jews in the Old Testament-times thought salvation was through a >legalistic approach to obedience to the Law of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jews, such as Jesus Christ & the Jews that were his Disciples, tell us that such a >legalistic approach is not the way to to Heaven.
Sometimes if a Christian quotes a Biblical prohibition against an activity, someone will cry out ‘that’s legalistic’ and use the term pejoratively. The reason being >they don’t WANT to obey God.
An example of this being done today is when Christians say: Homosexual activity is prohibited by the Bible, & willful with full knowledge, = homosexual >activity can keep someone from Heaven. People that advocate homosexual activity condemn Christians for having a ‘legalistic’ view of salvation.
Above is written by me^
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Below is from a book I have but put in my >own words mostly.
Jesus Christ pointed out that a ‘legalistic’ view of salvation was incorrect. BUT, Jesus Christ did NOT do away with = The Eternal Law of God.
Today we have laws that are accepted as valid by Christians.
A. Divine Positive Law = from God which we have explained by Holy Mother our Catholic Church.
B. Natural Moral Law = which also comes from God & it is placed in the conscience & also revealed by the world itself. The first few chapters of the book of Romans speaks about the world itself revealing the Natural Moral Law from God.
C. Human positive law.
A. Civil laws = secular laws (which are only valid before
God if the secular laws conform to God’s laws.
B. Ecclesiastical laws. These are the canon laws of
the Church to help all Christians understand their
rights & obligations.
Obviously, I didn’t know all this myself. (I’m not a Priest) But I sort of took out of Fathers Trigilio & Brighenti book “Catholicism for Dummies.” ANY MISTAKES HERE ARE MINE & NOT THE PRIESTS.
(I understand a NON-Christian was writing about Catholicism on Wikipedia for the longest period of time using this book. He was eventually discovered.)
Legalistic is a word that is defined differently by various people. I hope that was clear in my comment.
The Catholic Church still recognizes that ALL >valid laws still must conform to God’s laws.
All the people in the world are required to obey the Natural Moral Law. This is were conflict seems to apply & the term ‘legalistic’ gets used pejoratively.
The observation about Adventist & their diet seems like an observation about their beliefs. I do >NOT consider it a >pejorative use of the term.
There are Priests that read these threads; hopefully a Priest will point out the correct Catholic teaching.
LOL. I grew up between two families of strict Babdists. Didn't drink (ever), didn't dance (ever), solemnly insisted that anyone who said "heck" or "darn" was swearing and bound for hellfire.
You're telling me Catholics are "legalistic"?
Oddly enough, Catholics get it from both sides. We're simultaneously condemned for being "legalistic" and being "lax".
Perhaps, they're just right.