What is legalism and how does it manifest?
Legalism is a false teaching that Paul refuted in Galatians, a doctrine that has plagued Christianity through the centuries and remains relevant today. While commonly associated only with temple worship and Judaism, it actually comes in many shapes and forms and is always subtle, constantly opposing sound doctrine.
Les teaches that in Galatians Paul is not so much defending his person as he is his doctrine. Doctrine is the primary word, the teaching; if you do not have doctrine, you have nothing, and experience alone does not set your feet in concrete. The false teaching of legalism had crept into the Galatian churches and every church Paul founded. It is not unique to Paul's day but has plagued Christianity up through the centuries and is just as apropos today. Normally people think of legalism as simply temple worship and Judaism, but Les points out it comes in all kinds of shapes and forms and is always so subtle.