Legalism and Moralism

This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Josh Philpot sits down with Dr. Richard Caldwell to discuss the twin dangers of legalism and moralism. Religious moralism and legalism are similar but differ slightly. Moralism tends to reduce the Bible to a manual for moral behavior focusing on proper external behavior and actions. Legalism tends to emphasize a system of rules and regulations from the Bible. But in practice, moralism will look much like legalism. When Christians forget or don't properly understand the Gospel and what Christ has done for them, they can fall prey to either or both of these dangerous, anti-faith, and anti-gospel attitudes and behaviors. How can Christians avoid this kind of error in their homes and churches? How can we be people that are not just heavy-handed on our children or even others when it comes to obeying God? How can parents rightly teach their children about God's character as they also teach His commandments?