legalism

Meanings

Plural: legalisms

Noun

• strict conformity to the letter of the law rather than its spirit
• The focusing on the text of written law to the exclusion of the intent of law, elevating strict adherence to law over justice, mercy, grace and common sense.
• A belief that salvation is attained or maintained by adherence to the requirements of moral law; salvation by works rather than by faith alone.
• A legal axiom, term or rule.
• Alternative letter-case form of Legalism.

Antonyms

anti-legalism, antilegalism, antinomianism

Related Words

aphorism, Law, law, legalist, legalistic, legalistically, literalism, non-legalism, nonlegalism, pro-legalism, prolegalism, statism, Torah