Antinomianism is the belief that Christians are freed from the moral law by virtue of grace as set forth in the gospel. The word “antinomianism” comes from two Greek words, anti, meaning “against,” and nomos, meaning “law.” So antinomianism means “against the law.”
This view teaches that because faith alone is necessary for salvation, the Old Testament law is no longer binding upon Christians. It argues that keeping the moral law is not in any way part of the justification of the sinner. This means that for the antinomian, sanctification is in no way connected to justification. An antinomian believes that law, even God’s law, does not in any way help the believer to live a life of obedience to God.
Antinomianism stands in contrast to the Bible’s teaching that salvation involves deliverance from sin and that Christians are freed from the curse of the law, not from the moral law itself. That is, the moral law does not justify, but it still has an important role in the believer’s sanctification. Additionally, Scripture stresses that genuine faith will result in a life of good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). At the same time, the Bible rejects the teaching that justification rests on our good works (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:28; 4:1-5).
So the Bible holds to two truths without compromise: salvation is by faith alone, but saving faith always results in obedience. As J. I. Packer puts it, the law guides, but does not give, life. The law shows people their duty, but it cannot enable them to do it. The law prescribes but does not provide. The law shows man his need of Christ’s grace to do God’s will.
Antinomianism has shown itself in various forms throughout church history. What are its key errors?
Errors of Antinomianism
1. Misunderstanding of Grace
Antinomians overemphasize grace to the point of asserting that Christians are not bound to obey God’s moral law. Yes, Scripture teaches salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it also teaches grace does not free the believer to disobey God’s commandments. Grace is God’s power that transforms sinners into saints who desire to obey God.
Titus 2:11-12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Here grace does the work in believers of freeing them from sin and helping them live obediently.
Romans 6:1-2, 14 says, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Far from encouraging license or lawlessness, the doctrine of grace demands we no longer live in sin.
2. Antagonism Toward God’s Law
Antinomians view God’s law in a negative light. Some go so far as to argue the law was only for Old Testament Israel, but not for Christians. They pit grace against law in stark terms and hold an overall negative view of biblical commands.
But Scripture never denigrates God’s law in this way. The moral law flows from God’s own holy nature and therefore it is good and wise (1 Timothy 1:8; Romans 7:12). While the ceremonial laws of Israel find their fulfillment in Christ (Hebrews 8-10), the moral law is eternal because it reflects God’s character.
Yes, the law cannot justify. But it still plays an important role in the lives of believers (1 Timothy 1:8-11). It helps restrain evil in society. It shows people their sin and need for Christ. It also guides Christians in living a life that pleases God.
3. Misuse of Christian Freedom
Since Christ has freed us from condemnation, antinomians believe we can flout God’s law. But they forget that though Christ frees us from the law’s penalty (eternal death), Christ does not free us from the law’s precept. The law still details how God wants Christians to live.
1 Peter 2:16 says, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” Christian freedom is never freedom to sin. Nor is it freedom from our responsibility to obey Christ as Lord. Rather, it is the freedom and power to do what is right.
Romans 6:18 says, “And having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” We are not set free to sin but set free from sin. We’re free from sin’s bondage to serve God in thankful obedience by the power of the Spirit.
4. Unbalanced View of Salvation
Antinomians so emphasize justification and release from condemnation that they can ignore the whole purpose of salvation—holiness and conformity to Christ. They focus on the indicatives (statements of truth) while ignoring the imperatives (commands) in the New Testament.
But a fully biblical view of salvation recognizes that God saves us from both the guilt and power of sin (Romans 6-8). Justification (right legal standing) and sanctification (internal renewal) always go together, though they are distinct. Salvation involves both a new position and a new walk.
Ephesians 2:10 says good works follow salvation as its aim: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Titus 2:14 says Christ gave himself for us “to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
Historical Examples of Antinomianism
Here are a few examples of antinomian views that arose in church history:
Clement of Alexandria
Clement (150-215 AD) taught that Christians should not obey God’s law. He drove a wedge between faith and obedience by arguing that Christians achieve a divine impassibility where they no longer have passions or desires to sin. For Clement, Christians can attain sinless perfection in this life.
Johannes Agricola
Agricola (1494-1566) took antinomianism to an extreme conclusion. He taught that God’s law was no longer relevant for Christians, not even as a guide. He said believers were entirely free from obligation to obey the law. This led to licentious living by his followers.
Dead Sea Scrolls
Some of the Dead Sea Scrolls evidence an antinomian perspective. The Community Rule prohibits oaths and sacrifices, arguing the community is no longer bound to the Law of Moses. The Damascus Document also embraces the idea of freedom from law, though it still emphasizes obedience to some of God’s commands.
Martin Luther
Some of Luther’s strong statements against the law were seized on by antinomians. For example, he referred to the epistle of James as an “epistle of straw.” However, Luther did not reject the role of God’s law in the believer’s sanctification. He opposed making the law a requirement for justification.
Johann Agricola
Agricola (1494-1566) was a German reformer and antinomian. He argued that the Law of Moses was no longer relevant or binding for Christians. He believed Christians were entirely free from any obligation to obey the moral law. His teaching led to licentious behavior among his followers.
Tobias Crisp
Crisp (1600-1643) was an English antinomian pastor. He taught that since Christ has satisfied all the demands of the law, believers are free from any obligation to keep the moral law. He also argued that God does not even condemn believers for their sins.
What the Bible Says About Antinomianism
Scripture contains many passages warning against antinomian errors. Here are a few key texts that refute antinomianism:
Romans 3:31
“Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”
Romans 6:1-2
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Romans 6:15-16
“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
Romans 8:12-14
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
Romans 13:8-10
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
In summary, the Bible clearly teaches we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. But saving faith always results in a life of growing obedience. The law shows us how to love God and others. Christians delight in God’s law because they have a new heart that loves righteousness. Antinomianism denies key aspects of salvation and Christian growth taught in Scripture.