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A Different Kind of Poison: How Legalism Destroys Grace
Does your Christianity feel empty? The harder you work, the more discouraged you become? Does “going to church” feel more like playing pretend and checking the box? Kevin Pendergrass knows these feelings all too well. Pendergrass, former co-host of the nationwide TV program, the Gospel of Christ, was once known for his dogmatic preaching and tyrannical debates. In A Different Kind of Poison, you will join him in his personal journey and conversion story as he details how he fell into an unintentional works-based religious system and how he eventually found a grace-centered relationship with Jesus that changed everything. If you practice a Christian religion, but feel like something is just not right, then A Different Kind of Poison is a must read.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2018
18 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 17, 2023
Absolutely AMAZING and beyond helpful!! Would HIGHLY recommend
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April 23, 2019This book describes the spiritual journey of the author in three areas: (1) His change from being, by his own admission, an extremely arrogant, self-centered, obnoxious person to being gracious; (2) His change from being legalistic to being grace-centered; (3) his abandonment of distinctive doctrines of the church in which he was raised.
Since these changes took place roughly over the same period of time, they are intermingled in the story and are not always properly distinguished.
The author tends to blame everything on legalism, whereas his abusive behavior, for example, was not caused by legalism although he was legalistic in trying to justify it.
Many legalistic people are very nice people because they are sincerely trying to please God.
When the author resigned it was because his beliefs had changed, not because he was less obnoxious or more grace-centered!
He states: “When they started to find out that I no longer held to many of the beliefs of my church affiliation, I received e-mails, phone calls, text messages, letters, and personal visits” (Kindle 13434). Of course!
He is purposely vague about these doctrinal changes: “As you read, you will notice I have avoided discussing specific church affiliations and doctrines. I try to be as vague as possible when referencing some of my specific changes about different topics because those specifics are not the focus of the book” (Kindle 130).
The problem is, however, that legalism always relates to certain doctrines and this vagueness makes it impossible to know whether what the author is condemning really is legalism.
He admits that some things people call legalism are not: “Please understand that obedience to God is not legalism (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:3). Teaching that the Bible is the objective standard of right and wrong is not legalism (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 8:32). Teaching against sin is not legalism (2 Tim. 4:3). Holding other Christians accountable is not legalism (Heb. 3:12-13). Emphasizing the whole counsel of God is not legalism (Acts 20:20, 27)” (Kendle 168).
He fails to sufficiently discuss the major question with regard to grace: Is grace conditional, and if so, what are the prerequisites for receiving it?
Unconditional grace leads to universalism or to Calvinism's unconditional election. One must turn a blind eye to much of the Bible to believe that grace is not conditional!
Evangelicals teach that faith is the only prerequisite. They also turn a blind eye to much of the Bible.
To have assurance of salvation one must accept what the Bible teaches about grace, namely, as Paul says (Romans 5:15-17) and as James says (James 2:14-26): God extends His wonderful grace to those who have an obedient, living faith, which includes repentance (Luke 13:2-5), obeying the gospel (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17), worshipping acceptably (Hebrews 12:28, 29), and walking in the light (1 John 1:5-10). Doing and preaching these things is not legalism.
Although his church affiliation is not named in the book, on his blog he says he grew up in what he calls “the traditional sect of the Churches of Christ” and “conservative Churches of Christ”.
These churches believe in salvation by grace, but teach that prerequisites for receiving grace include faith, repentance, confession and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Roy Davison
Since these changes took place roughly over the same period of time, they are intermingled in the story and are not always properly distinguished.
The author tends to blame everything on legalism, whereas his abusive behavior, for example, was not caused by legalism although he was legalistic in trying to justify it.
Many legalistic people are very nice people because they are sincerely trying to please God.
When the author resigned it was because his beliefs had changed, not because he was less obnoxious or more grace-centered!
He states: “When they started to find out that I no longer held to many of the beliefs of my church affiliation, I received e-mails, phone calls, text messages, letters, and personal visits” (Kindle 13434). Of course!
He is purposely vague about these doctrinal changes: “As you read, you will notice I have avoided discussing specific church affiliations and doctrines. I try to be as vague as possible when referencing some of my specific changes about different topics because those specifics are not the focus of the book” (Kindle 130).
The problem is, however, that legalism always relates to certain doctrines and this vagueness makes it impossible to know whether what the author is condemning really is legalism.
He admits that some things people call legalism are not: “Please understand that obedience to God is not legalism (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:3). Teaching that the Bible is the objective standard of right and wrong is not legalism (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 8:32). Teaching against sin is not legalism (2 Tim. 4:3). Holding other Christians accountable is not legalism (Heb. 3:12-13). Emphasizing the whole counsel of God is not legalism (Acts 20:20, 27)” (Kendle 168).
He fails to sufficiently discuss the major question with regard to grace: Is grace conditional, and if so, what are the prerequisites for receiving it?
Unconditional grace leads to universalism or to Calvinism's unconditional election. One must turn a blind eye to much of the Bible to believe that grace is not conditional!
Evangelicals teach that faith is the only prerequisite. They also turn a blind eye to much of the Bible.
To have assurance of salvation one must accept what the Bible teaches about grace, namely, as Paul says (Romans 5:15-17) and as James says (James 2:14-26): God extends His wonderful grace to those who have an obedient, living faith, which includes repentance (Luke 13:2-5), obeying the gospel (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17), worshipping acceptably (Hebrews 12:28, 29), and walking in the light (1 John 1:5-10). Doing and preaching these things is not legalism.
Although his church affiliation is not named in the book, on his blog he says he grew up in what he calls “the traditional sect of the Churches of Christ” and “conservative Churches of Christ”.
These churches believe in salvation by grace, but teach that prerequisites for receiving grace include faith, repentance, confession and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Roy Davison
February 10, 2021
I don't know Kevin Pendergrass, but I have known many like him. I've seen a man like him in the mirror earlier in my preaching life. Pendergrass' story of emerging from extreme (my word) legalism into biblical freedom (again, my expression) is at times heartbreaking but ultimately encouraging. I think he did what he set out to do. The hard thing about this subject is that if someone is a legalist, they seldom can realize it about themselves. But for those who are questioning and struggling to hang on to some of these perspectives, Kevin Pendergrass' book will be a guiding light.
This book made me reflect on my own spiritual journey. Although I had some harsh attitudes early in my preaching life, I don't think I ever lived those out as thoroughly as Kevin did. I will join Apostle Paul and say I have not arrived ...but I do press onward. I remember early influences that were guideposts along the way for my life. My Bible College education was a mixed bag of some extra conservative folks along with some who taught me it was ok to have questions and to pursue answers from Scripture on my own. Heading out to Tulsa Workshop every year introduced me to a cast of preachers that challenged my upbringing and thoughts. I bought a book at Tulsa one year called The Church in Transition by Jim Woodroof. I had heard him preach. If I read it today I'd probably not think it was all that much to it, but to my young conservative mind I was given so much to think about. I ultimately read Leroy Garrett's Lover's Quarrel: My life in Churches of Christ. Wow. And an influential book by an alcoholic defrocked divorced Catholic priest named Brennan Manning reminded me that I come to the Father as a Ragamuffin, a mixed bag at best who desperately needed God's grace and mercy (The Ragamuffin Gospel).
Ultimately, what Pendergrass presents is palatable for those who are still stuck in conservative circles but who are questioning (validly) their role and beliefs there. He provides a needed service. In doing so, he sacrificed a lot. I know those who are helped along their journey will thank him. I'm glad I read it, for several reasons.
This book made me reflect on my own spiritual journey. Although I had some harsh attitudes early in my preaching life, I don't think I ever lived those out as thoroughly as Kevin did. I will join Apostle Paul and say I have not arrived ...but I do press onward. I remember early influences that were guideposts along the way for my life. My Bible College education was a mixed bag of some extra conservative folks along with some who taught me it was ok to have questions and to pursue answers from Scripture on my own. Heading out to Tulsa Workshop every year introduced me to a cast of preachers that challenged my upbringing and thoughts. I bought a book at Tulsa one year called The Church in Transition by Jim Woodroof. I had heard him preach. If I read it today I'd probably not think it was all that much to it, but to my young conservative mind I was given so much to think about. I ultimately read Leroy Garrett's Lover's Quarrel: My life in Churches of Christ. Wow. And an influential book by an alcoholic defrocked divorced Catholic priest named Brennan Manning reminded me that I come to the Father as a Ragamuffin, a mixed bag at best who desperately needed God's grace and mercy (The Ragamuffin Gospel).
Ultimately, what Pendergrass presents is palatable for those who are still stuck in conservative circles but who are questioning (validly) their role and beliefs there. He provides a needed service. In doing so, he sacrificed a lot. I know those who are helped along their journey will thank him. I'm glad I read it, for several reasons.
April 11, 2021
I enjoyed the author’s account of how he moved from a hyper-aggressive form of Christianity to a more gracious approach. I believe stories like these are notable because it is usually so difficult to see errors in our own thinking and the nature of the paradigm (we are the one true church and everyone else is wrong) does not leave room for personal introspection.
A couple of things about the book bothered me: he did not convincingly demonstrate that his behavior is the natural fruit of legalism. People who are saved by grace are at times just as intolerant...is this necessarily a legalism problem?
He often qualified his grace-based approach by stressing that there is still law, lines of fellowship still have to be drawn, and there are still some things we can’t compromise on. If all we are doing is changing what the law is and where the lines are drawn, how is legalism the culprit?
I applaud the effort, but I found some of the reasoning less than convincing. I remain wary of the mentality that makes perfection a condition of salvation, but I find articulating how grace and law work together an elusive goal.
A couple of things about the book bothered me: he did not convincingly demonstrate that his behavior is the natural fruit of legalism. People who are saved by grace are at times just as intolerant...is this necessarily a legalism problem?
He often qualified his grace-based approach by stressing that there is still law, lines of fellowship still have to be drawn, and there are still some things we can’t compromise on. If all we are doing is changing what the law is and where the lines are drawn, how is legalism the culprit?
I applaud the effort, but I found some of the reasoning less than convincing. I remain wary of the mentality that makes perfection a condition of salvation, but I find articulating how grace and law work together an elusive goal.
May 26, 2022
A light in the midst of earthly darkness
This book brings so much light to a darkness that infests so many friends & family. I am so thankful to Kevin Pendergrass for writing a book that has brought words that I felt in my heart and knew in my soul. I have been blessed to find a church family that loves first, encourages, shows grace & mercy bec we realize we cannot maneuver this life without one another and none of us are perfect. I am anxious to share this book with many who have been brainwashed in a doctrine that only brings division with our creator & savior and amongst the people in their lives and in their communities.
This book brings so much light to a darkness that infests so many friends & family. I am so thankful to Kevin Pendergrass for writing a book that has brought words that I felt in my heart and knew in my soul. I have been blessed to find a church family that loves first, encourages, shows grace & mercy bec we realize we cannot maneuver this life without one another and none of us are perfect. I am anxious to share this book with many who have been brainwashed in a doctrine that only brings division with our creator & savior and amongst the people in their lives and in their communities.
March 7, 2025
Very excellent!
Biographical story of author's change from legalism to grace. Moving, encouraging, truth and grace filled. I got my copy for free, but the opinion is mine (I also grew up in a legalistic Christian culture, and can relate to the author)
Biographical story of author's change from legalism to grace. Moving, encouraging, truth and grace filled. I got my copy for free, but the opinion is mine (I also grew up in a legalistic Christian culture, and can relate to the author)
October 14, 2024
I was able to relate to A LOT in this book. It was refreshing to have heard the same thoughts and feelings I have been having said by someone else.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews