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.

A Thought on Legalism by Geerhardus Vos

Geerhardus Vos wrote much on the epistle to the Hebrews. In one particular essay published in The Princeton Theological Review (Jan. 1916), titled “Hebrews, the Epistle of the Diatheke” (Part 2), Vos makes an insightful observation about the nature of legalism that is worth pondering.

Legalism lacks the supreme sense of worship. It obeys but it does not adore. And no deeper notes of adoration have ever been struck than those inspired by the Reformed Faith, no finer fruit of the lips making confession to God’s name has ever been placed upon the Christian altar.