A word on legalism from R.B. Kuiper

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Following up on a memorable quote concerning legalism by another Dutch-American Presbyterian, Geerhardus Vos, which we shared previously, today’s post is extracted from an article by R.B. Kuiper titled “God’s Will and God’s Word,” which appeared in The Presbyterian Guardian 5:63-66.

May we ever be on guard against those who in the name of religion would add to God´s law. To be stricter than God is no evidence of piety but, contrariwise, of abominable presumption. To add to God's law is just as heinous a sin as to subtract from it. He who does either puts himself in God's place.

Therefore it is not at all strange that he who today forbids what God allows will tomorrow allow what God forbids. That is precisely what one may expect of him who sets himself up as Lawgiver in God's stead. He is sure to topple from the cliff of rigid moralism into the abyss of reeking immorality.