Legalism is: 1. Distorting the gospel by adding conditions to free grace: Acts 15:1, 7-11; Gal.1:6-7, 2:11-16, 4:8-11, Gal. 5:2-4; Col. 2:16-17. 2. Substituting man-made regulations for the Word of God: Matthew 15:1-3. 3. Majoring on the minors and neglecting the more important issues: Luke 11:42. 4. Over concern with the externals while disregarding matters of the heart: Matthew 23:27. 5. Regarding with contempt or judging a brother based on matters of personal conviction: Romans 14:1-5. 6. Trusting in ourselves that we are righteous based on religious performance: Luke 18:9-14. 7. Hypocrisy, the leaven of the Pharisees: Luke 11:53-12:1. Legalism is not: 1. A zeal for the commandments of Christ: Matthew 5:19; 1 Corinthians 7:19. 2. A ministry that teaches others to follow Christ in obedience: Matthew 28:20; 1 Thes.4:1-2. 3. Strong personal convictions (as long as they are not required of others): Romans 14:2, 5. 4. Man-made restrictions for personal protection from sinful habits (as long as we do not begin to view them as binding on others): Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 6:12. 5. A zeal for good works: Eph.2:10; Titus 1:16, 2:7, 14, 3:8, 14. 6. Limiting our liberty for the benefit of others: Romans 14:15, 21, 15:2; Acts 16:1-3. 7. Obedience: John 14:15, 23, 15:10; 1 John 2:3-5, 5:2-4.
Bill Busshaus

William Culbertson

William Culbertson

William Culbertson
1905-1971
Born in Philadelphia and educated there at the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church and Temple University, he pastored Reformed Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. At age 31, his denomination elected him bishop of the New York and Philadelphia Synod. For 23 years (1948-1971), Dr. Culbertson served God as president of Moody Bible Institute. Under his leadership, the Moody Bible Institute grew steadily, increasing its day school enrollment to over 1,000 students. Five major buildings were added to the Chicago campus.

Dr. Culbertson’s ministry extended beyond Chicago as he spoke at Bible conferences around the world and also served as president of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges. In 1971, he was appointed the school’s first chancellor. Above all, he lived in God’s Word, and therefore always had a word from God. As they trained at Moody, thousands of young people for a quarter of a century looked to William Culbertson as their spiritual father because of his godly example.

His last words, “God…God…yes!” concluded a life characterized by affirmative responses to God’s commands.