Antinomianism is moral lawlessness. The word is derived from two Greek words: anti (against) and nomos (law), which means lawlessness or against the law. In the Old Testament, there were three types of laws: ceremonial, civil, and moral. Jesus’s death and resurrection eliminated the requirement that Christians observe ceremonial law. He was the perfect sacrifice. The establishment of a secular government eliminated the need for biblical civil law. Only the moral law remained as Christianity spread.
Antinomianism holds that salvation is God’s gift of grace, so Christians no longer have to comply with the Old Testament moral law, the Ten Commandments in particular. Otherwise, salvation would entail acts of works. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (Ephesians 2:8-9 | NIV)
Threefold Use of the Law
Martin Luther coined the word.[1] His work, Against the Antinomians,” sought to put the issue to bed by making the case that moral law is necessary for those following Jesus. “The whole matter was finally settled for Lutheranism, by the formula of Concord, in 1577. It recognized the threefold use of the law: to reveal sin, to establish general decency in society, at large, and to provide a rule of life for those who have been regenerated through faith in Christ.”[2]
Luther stressed the law’s purpose was to convict of sin and lead to repentance. Today, Christians agree the law still serves two purposes: to define sin and to provide moral guidelines for Jesus’s followers. This is what the apostle Paul wrote on the matter. What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7 | NIV)
No one, not even Paul, could live sin-free lives, but we have a way to be restored to a relationship with God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 | NIV)
Justification and Sanctification
Those who practice antinomianism misunderstand the distinction between justification and sanctification. We are justified by grace through faith. That grace constitutes judicial forgiveness that wipes the sinner’s slate clean and sets them on the narrow path. The second type, parental forgiveness, is how believers tell their heavenly Father they are sorry for letting him down. Justification results from judicial forgiveness. Sanctification, striving to be like Jesus, entails seeking parental forgiveness as often as necessary.
That does not mean Christians should be legalistic. Legalism is the belief that obedience to a code of religious law is necessary for salvation. God’s grace and faith, both gifts from God, are required and sufficient for salvation. Antinomianism ignores moral law altogether. Obeying biblical moral law is not legalism but evidence we are striving to be like Jesus, who followed it completely and perfectly.
[1] R.D. Linder, “Antinomianism,” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed., Edited by Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001), p. 71.
[2] Ibid.