3. Antinomianism
The term Antinomianism was coined by theologians to label a
particular type of interpretation of scripture.
Antinomians believe in freedom from the obligation to obey the
Moral Law (The 10 Commandments) to be saved since it is no
longer binding and faith alone is necessary to salvation.
4. Antinomianism
We are antinomianists by nature.
Since the Fall, humans have been rejecting God's commands,
while seeking to justify themselves by their own criteria.
5. The History of Antinomianism
Throughout history you find antinomians who passionately
violated the law of God. Some even worshiped the devil.
Such people were called by various names, like Cainites and
Satanites. They literally gloried in their sin.
6. The History of Antinomianism
Martin Luther first used this expression, antinomianism, to refer
to the views of his friend, Johannes Agricola, in the sixteenth
century.
Agricola taught that the moral law of God was in no way
binding upon those who are justified by faith alone.
So Johannes Agricola said Christians are entirely free from the
moral law of God.
8. The Antinomianist
Principal Doctrines
And their supporting arguments
Taken from The Book of Religions:
Con Prising the Views, Creeds ... of All the Principal Religious
Sects ... Particularly of All Christian Denominations.
Biographical Sketches by John Hayward
9. Principle 1
“The law aught not to be proposed to the people as a rule of
manners, nor used in the church as a means of instruction. The
gospel alone is to be taught and explained in the churches and
in the schools.”
For the Scriptures declare that Christ is not the law-giver; the
law was given by Moses. Hence, Christians are not ruled by
the law; according as it is said in Romans 6 : 14, “For ye are
not under the law, but under grace.”
10. Principle 2
“God sees no sin in believers; and they are not bound to
confess sin, mourn for, or pray that it may be forgiven.
For God has declared in Hebrews 10 : 17, “Their sins and
iniquities I will remember no more.” And in Jeremiah 50 : 20, “In
those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of
Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the
sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon
them whom I reserve.”
11. Principle 3
“God is not angry with the elect, nor doth he punish them for
their sins.”
For Christ has made ample satisfaction for their sins. Isaiah 53
: 5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was
bruised for our iniquities.” And to inflict punishment once upon
the surety, and again upon the believer, is contrary to the
justice of God, as well as derogatory to the satisfaction of
Christ.
12. Principle 4
“By God’s laying our iniquities upon Christ, he became as completely
sinful as we, and we as completely righteous as Christ.”
For Christ represents our persons to the Father; and we represent the
person of Christ to Him. The loveliness of Christ is transferred to us.
Oppositely, all that is hateful in our nature is put upon Christ, who was
forsaken by the Father for a time. According to 2 Corinthians 5 : 21,
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
13. Principle 5
“Believers need not fear either their own sins or the sins of
others, since neither can do then any injury.”
Romans 8 : 33 & 34 says, “Who shall lay any thing to the
charge of God's elect ?” The apostle does not say that they
never transgress, but triumphs in the thought that no curse can
be executed against them.
14. Principle 6
“The new covenant is not made properly with us, but with Christ for
us; and this Covenant is a promise, having no conditions for us to
perform; for faith, repentance and obedience are not conditions on
our part, but Christ's; he repented, believed and obeyed for us.”
For the covenant is so expressed, that the performance lies upon
the Deity himself. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws
into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a
God, and they shall be to me a people.” - Hebrews 8 : 10
15. The Types of Antinomians
Joseph Parker in his book Concise Theology, outlines six types of
antinomians:
1. Dualistic - it doesn’t matter what you do with your body and you may
sin to your heart’s content. Go ahead! You are saved anyway.
2. Spirit-centered - i am a spiritual Christian, and I am led by the Spirit. I
do what the Spirit tells me, and I don’t worry about the Holy
Scriptures.
16. The Types of Antinomians
3. Situational - what you need is the inner motive and intention
of love. As long as you intend to love, you may disregard the
law of God.
4. "Jesus Is Savior” – the newest type of antinomianism that
says in order to be saved, you must receive Jesus as your
Savior, but you do not have to receive him as Lord.
As a "saved” Christian, you need not obey the Lord Jesus
Christ. Your salvation is secure as long as you once upon a
time received Jesus Christ as Savior by faith.
