legalism
[lee-guh-liz-uh m]
- strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.
- Theology.
- the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
- the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.
- (initial capital letter) (in Chinese philosophy) the principles and practices of a school of political theorists advocating strict legal control over all activities, a system of rewards and punishments uniform for all classes, and an absolute monarchy.
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Origin of legalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for legalism
Historical Examples
The tendency of legalism to externalise life has another aspect.
What Is and What Might BeEdmond Holmes
Those who resort to legalism, he has said, ensure their own condemnation.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the GalatiansG. G. Findlay
This was the condition to which Legalism would reduce the Galatians.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the GalatiansG. G. Findlay
Did it sustain the gospel of the grace of God, or the "other gospel" of Legalism?
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the GalatiansG. G. Findlay
In the view of Legalism, this is the natural outcome of Pauline teaching.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the GalatiansG. G. Findlay
legalism
- strict adherence to the law, esp the stressing of the letter of the law rather than its spirit
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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