Logical refutation of legalism
Dec 30, 2013 8:21:14 GMT
Post by Colossians on Dec 30, 2013 8:21:14 GMT
This material is for the teaching of the Body of Christ, however the author reserves copyright over it.
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LOGICAL REFUTATION OF LEGALISM
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15
The legalist thinks that in the above verse from the gospel of John, Jesus is referring to the 10 commandments.
Let us see whether his idea stands the test of formal logic:
The dictionary:
A: Tom is saved.
B: Tom loves God
C: Tom tries to keep the 10 commandments as per John 14:15
The legalist’s argument:
Premise 1: If A, then B
Premise 2: If B, then C.
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Therefore if A then C (hypothetical syllogism)
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What follows then is:
If not C, then not A (modus tollens),
which translates to:
"If Tom does not try to keep the 10 commandments as per John 14:15, then Tom is not saved".
Well this is to justify Tom by law, so the legalist’s idea is necessarily false: John 14:15 is most certainly not referring to the 10 commandments.
___
If however John 14:15 refers to the commandments found at 1 John 3:23 – to “believe on Jesus Christ and love the brethren” – the translation is:
"If Tom does not believe on Jesus Christ and love the brethren, then Tom is not saved”.
Summary
It is clear that, contrary to what the legalist would have us believe, John 14:15 simply refers to faith in Christ and love for the brethren. It has nothing to do with the 10 commandments.
Amen.
________________________________
LOGICAL REFUTATION OF LEGALISM
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15
The legalist thinks that in the above verse from the gospel of John, Jesus is referring to the 10 commandments.
Let us see whether his idea stands the test of formal logic:
The dictionary:
A: Tom is saved.
B: Tom loves God
C: Tom tries to keep the 10 commandments as per John 14:15
The legalist’s argument:
Premise 1: If A, then B
Premise 2: If B, then C.
--------------------
Therefore if A then C (hypothetical syllogism)
___
What follows then is:
If not C, then not A (modus tollens),
which translates to:
"If Tom does not try to keep the 10 commandments as per John 14:15, then Tom is not saved".
Well this is to justify Tom by law, so the legalist’s idea is necessarily false: John 14:15 is most certainly not referring to the 10 commandments.
___
If however John 14:15 refers to the commandments found at 1 John 3:23 – to “believe on Jesus Christ and love the brethren” – the translation is:
"If Tom does not believe on Jesus Christ and love the brethren, then Tom is not saved”.
Summary
It is clear that, contrary to what the legalist would have us believe, John 14:15 simply refers to faith in Christ and love for the brethren. It has nothing to do with the 10 commandments.
Amen.