The Pull and Pendulum Swings of Legalism

This past week I was invited to speak to a group about the freedom we have been granted and the pull of legalism that threatens to enslave us again. 

Exploring Maine coast

Now it is easy for Americans to ask, having been given freedom, why would we ever be tempted to enslave ourselves? In the US, we are raised to see the concept of freedom as very positive— all Americans want and value freedom.  But the reaction on the islands is very different and it has sometimes surprised us. Islanders sometimes react like freedom is scary. Especially in the realm of what you believe, they can see freedom as a very negative thing. They see freedom as leading to disunity and strife. Also since freedom is not what they associate with God, they are much more comfortable with the language of slavery than the language of freedom when talking about their relationship with Him. So surprising as it is to us, they aren’t necessarily attracted or satisfied with the idea of freedom.

I remember one of the first serious conversations I had in Africa, I was asked how people like me wash? The woman was expecting me to give a list of instructions for which body part is washed first and what words needed to be spoken. She also asked how we pray—likewise expecting a clear explanation of how many times we bowed, at what time of day, pointed in which direction, and speaking which texts. I happily declared that I could wash and pray any way I wanted, but from her puzzled expression I could tell that she was dissatisfied with my answer.  To her, the freedom I spoke of sounded insubstantial and unsatisfying.

Much colder ocean than the islands!

Her dissatisfaction with freedom is because legalism can actually be quite gratifying. It can offer the same sort of fulfillment one might get from checking off a to-do list or the comfort one feels from firm guidance and direction. Legalism gives people answers. Someone asks, “What should I wear?” Legalism says, “Wear this!” “How should I pray?” “Pray these words! In this posture! At this time!” It is not open-ended or unclear.  It is straight-forward.

Legalism also can provide clear identity and an easy way towards belonging to a group, not to mention clear ways to gain status and honor in that group. These things are really important to islanders. But not just islanders, almost everyone wants to feel like they belong to a group and feel like they have an honored role in that group. And if all it takes is dressing a certain way or doing certain things to achieve that— well, then legalism sounds kind of comforting.

But ultimately, many people also feel the burden of legalism. They resent the rules and restrictions.
We can see throughout history how legalism—a strict set of rules—often turns people off. One generation’s rules leads to a rebellious response in the next generation. The new generation wants to distance themselves completely from anything looking like the previous generation— declaring themselves free from their parents’ or grandparents’ legalism. But in their reaction, they can end up creating a new kind of legalistic set of rules for belonging.

As western women on the islands, we have had lively discussions about whether or not we should cover our heads on the islands. Some said yes— because we want to be seen as modest and respectful members of island community. Others said no— because we need to show our freedom, that we aren’t supporting or showing ourselves to be attached to the legalism that burdens many islanders. Our team initially leaned mostly towards not covering our heads, preferring to show our modesty and respect in other ways. But we began to worry that we could be supporting a new form of legalism—telling islanders that to be free meant you can’t cover your head!

To cover the head or not?

We don’t want to support a mere pendulum swing from one form of legalism to another! We may not be intentionally communicating legalism, but our actions even if made for good reasons, can easily pull those that come after us towards legalism. They remember the actions, know they were made for good reasons, but forget what those reasons were. All they remember is: to belong, you do this! Legalism is born and we are free no more.

Freedom means finding our identity, our sense of belonging, our guidance and direction in a living God, who meets us where we are at, accepts us as we are, and transforms our lives. It doesn’t look the same for each culture or each generation or even each person, and that is a beautiful and miraculous thing!

PRAYERS ANSWERED


It’s been great to check-in with teammates and colleagues on the islands.  We are mostly encouraged by the news, but there are always things to be praying for.  We’ve continued to have meaningful times with friends and new contacts on the North Shore and in Maine.  We are so thankful for these opportunities, even when the time is limited.  We are thankful for the encouraging words we’ve received and the thoughtful conversations that we have been challenged by.


PRAYERS REQUESTED
Please do lift up the islands.  People continue to struggle financially and as prices have gone crazy and most people live paycheck to paycheck, it can be a struggle to put food on the table.  The wedding season has continued to put a strain on finances, but also makes regular gatherings and times of study more difficult. Please lift up the fellowship of brothers and sisters, that they would be growing in unity and trust, able to say the hard things to each other and allow iron to sharpen iron.  Pray for our dwindling days here in the US—only 3 weeks left and still so much we want to do and people we want to see.  May we find the balance between rest, relationships and routines.