Antinomianism

Antinomianism (from the Greek: αντι anti, "against" + νομος nomos, "law" = "lawless") is the idea that man can abuse the grace of God and partake freely in sin.[1]

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1 KJV[2]
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" Galatians 5:1 KJV.[3]

The word "antinomian" was first coined by Martin Luther, as a description of Johannes Agricola, a German Protestant minister. Those who promote this "law-less" belief and teaching are said to be antinomian.[4]

The secular expression of antinomianism, civil and philosophical, is called anarchy.

Some conservative Christians argue[5] that antinomianism allows modern churches to engage in the Social Gospel, promoting social justice beliefs such as:[6][7][8]

* Differences between men and women are not important
* Easy divorce is acceptable
* The name of Jesus Christ does not need to be promoted to other religions
* Homosexual behavior is acceptable
* Out of wedlock intimacy is acceptable
* Regular church attendance is negotiable

## See also[edit]

* Natural Law
* Cafeteria Christian
* Cafeteria Catholic
* Christian In Name Only
* Anarchism
* Manicheanism
* Hypocrites
* Libertarianism
* Morality
* Hedonism
* Nicolaitans
* Eternal security (salvation)

## References[edit]

1. ↑ "even though as Christians we are not under the Law (Rom. 6:14), we still fulfill the Law in the Law of love (Rom. 13:8, 10; Gal. 5:14; 6:2). We are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27) and, thereby, avoid the offense of sin which cost God His only begotten Son. Paul speaks against the concept of antinomianism in Rom. 6:1-2: 'Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?' We are not to use the grace of God as a means of sin. Instead, we are to be controlled by the love of God and in that way bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25)." Antinomianism - Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (carm.org)
2. ↑ The second half of the Romans 8:1 is often omitted by those who teach "freedom in Christ" as being rooted in a fundamental antinomianism. The second half of the verse is a phrase that makes freedom conditional, based on morality and spirituality: "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit". Compare Galatians 5:13-25 which clarifies the meaning of "walk by the Spirit/walk in the Spirit".
3. ↑ Paul also wrote, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2 KJV (boldface emphasis added).
4. ↑ 2 Peter 3:17 "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability." RSV. See 1 Timothy 1:9.
5. ↑ The Law, the Gospel, and Social Justice, "the liberal notion of social justice attacks both the law of God and the gospel of Christ. It is simultaneously antinomian and legalistic."
6. ↑ Where Did the Antinomianism in Today’s Christianity Come From?
7. ↑ The Gospel Is Not Social
8. ↑ Exodus International's Alan Chambers Accused of Antinomian Theology

## External links[edit]

* What Does the Bible Say About Lawlessness? (openbible.info)
* Antinomian - Merriam-Webster Dictionary (merriam-webster.com)
* Antinomianism - The Free Dictionary (thefreedictionary.com)
* Antinomianism - Theopedia (theopedia.com)
* Antinomianism - Encyclopedia of the Bible (biblegateway.com)
* Don't Tell Me That! Martin Luther's Antinomian Theses Translated by Paul Strawn (concordiatheology.org)
* Antinomianism, The Carnal Christian (evangelicaloutreach.org)