Antinomianism derives from two Greek words: anti, meaning "against," and nomos, meaning "law." It thus literally means "against the law." Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that Christians are under no obligation to observe any part of the Old Testament laws, particularly the "moral law." This concept—rejecting the "harsh" God of the Old Testament in favor of the "loving" God of the New Testament—has appeared throughout church history. While very few embrace its most extreme implications, its influence can still be seen in many circles.
A form of antinomianism seems to have existed even in Paul’s day. We see this in his writings, where he refutes the idea that a Christian’s life should continue in sin. For example, in Romans 6:1-2, he asks, "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?" Similarly, in Romans 6:15, Paul again rejects the idea: "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."
A prominent early figure associated with this heresy was Marcion (around 144 AD). Marcion controversially taught that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament were not the same. He sought to remove much of the Old Testament from Christian theology, a stance which was vehemently rejected by the early Church.
The term antinomianism first came to prominence during a controversy between Martin Luther and Johannes Agricola. Agricola, interpreting Luther’s doctrine of salvation by grace alone, went to the extreme of rejecting the Old Testament law as no longer applicable to Christians. Luther responded by writing Against the Antinomians, marking the first known use of the term.
In the early English colonies of North America, the term was used to describe certain Christian groups who were seen as heretical for refusing to follow the laws of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was founded by the church. Anne Hutchinson, a prominent preacher, was exiled from Massachusetts for her radical views and labeled an "antinomian." While this application of the term is different from the doctrinal focus we are concerned with here, it reflects how the term has been used in various contexts, even to describe groups like the Anabaptists.
For our purposes, we are primarily concerned with the doctrine that the moral law of the Old Testament is no longer binding on Christians today. It's crucial to define our terms clearly. This specific form of antinomianism is best understood through Martin Luther's 16th-century perspective. Luther rejected the idea that grace permits Christians to remain in sin, and Johannes Agricola later repented for his error.
Jesus, in Matthew’s Gospel, provides clear teaching on this issue. In Matthew 5:17-19, He says:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Repentance remains the key to applying the blood of Jesus for the removal of sin. As Revelation 3:19-21 says:
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
The wages of sin remain death, and repentance—turning back to God—is still required. The ways of God are unchanging throughout Scripture.
