Legalism

It is following the law in such an excessively strict and literal manner that can end up being abusive petty or unreasonable.

Laws are supposed to resolve problems. They are intended to create order and the ability to know what is expected of us. They are like traffic lights at an intersection. Good law is designed to create order and safety for the general public.

A legalist will obey the law in such a way that does not reinforce the original intention but take it in such a literal manner that it ends up creating problems instead of resolving them. It also disregards all extenuating circumstances and brutally executes the penalty without concern on how unreasonable this might be. 

So for example the law states that the speed limit is 45mph. The police officer sees a car speeding and pulls it over. Inside the car he finds out that the passenger is having a medical emergency and the driver was rushing this person to the hospital.  In our example the patient cut a main artery. If they wait for an Ambulance the person may have already bleed to death. 

A legalistic cop would issue a ticket for speeding. The law is 45mph. You drove over the speed limit. You get a ticket. Following the law exactly how it is written is the most important thing to this policeman. He uses his power to punish. 

On the flipside an officer whose desire is to uphold the intention of the law will say “The traffic laws are supposed to create order so the public can be safe driving. If this person goes the speed limit it could kill his passenger. The speed limit is not safe for that passenger.”  He forgives the driver for breaking the law and then uses his power to restore safety and order. He gives the car a police escort to the hospital. This protects both the public and the patient. The police officer also informs the driver if this type of thing happens again please call and request a police escort. He is not brutal but extends compassion to a family in need without compromising his job to enforce the law.

In the bible what we call legalism is talking about actual law (Jewish law) but in general, we now use the term more in reference to moral or social expectations versus actual laws. 

An example of this might be a person being more upset about the table manners of the homeless person wolfing down a meal instead of seeing the fact that this person was starving and is now finally eating.  

It is an usher at church making critical comments to someone who shows up late to church every week even though the reason is because of a work schedule.  It is getting angry at someone for taking a phone call during church. They are “on Call” and if they miss that call from their employer they would jeopardize their job.  It is getting angry at a teenager for wearing a hat in public even though this is the first time he has ever been to church.  

The usher should save a seat in back for the regular late comer and make sure this person’s extra efforts to get here at all are supported. The people should be glad that the cell phone users’ employer lets them go to church even though they are on the clock. The adult passing judgment on the teenager should be more concerned about making the teen feel welcome in a strange atmosphere.

As a Christian our filter for laws we live by is love. Galatians 5:14

It is not legalist to execute punishment on legitimately open disregard for the rules  or sloppy carelessness disregard for the rules. This falls under "you reap what you sow".