antinomianism etymology

Etymology

• Antinomianism is derived from two Greek words:
  • Anti- meaning "against" or "opposing"
  • Nomos meaning "law"

Meaning

Antinomianism is a theological doctrine that holds that Christians are not subject to the moral law as set forth in the Old Testament. Adherents of antinomianism believe that faith in Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for salvation, and that obedience to the moral law is not necessary.

Origin

Antinomianism has its roots in the teachings of various early Christian sects, including:

• Gnosticism: Which held that the material world was evil and that only through spiritual knowledge (gnosis) could one achieve salvation. Antinomians argued that the moral law was created for the imperfect material world, and had no relevance to those who had attained spiritual enlightenment.
• Montanism: A second-century movement that emphasized the importance of prophecy and condemned the formalized structure of the early Church. Montanists believed that the moral law was outdated and that God's will was revealed through ecstatic experiences.
• Donatism: A fourth-century schism in North Africa that rejected the authority of the Catholic Church. Donatists argued that the Church could only be pure by expelling all members who had committed serious sins, regardless of their repentance.

Later Developments

Antinomianism was revived in the Protestant Reformation by adherents of various radical groups, including the Anabaptists and the Ranters. These groups emphasized the direct experience of God and rejected the authority of traditional religious institutions and practices. They often argued that Christians were free to act as they wished, as long as their intentions were sincere.

Antinomianism has been repeatedly condemned by mainstream Christian denominations. However, it continues to surface in various forms, including:

• Hypergrace: A modern movement that emphasizes God's unconditional love and forgiveness, and downplays the importance of obedience to the moral law.
• Free grace theology: A doctrinal system that emphasizes the role of God's grace in salvation, and de-emphasizes the importance of works.

antinomianism relate terms

• antinomian

  Etymology From Late Latin antinomianus from Greek antinomos meaning opposed to law

• anti

  Etymology The word anti has its origins in the Greek prefix ἀντί anti meanin

• penance

  Etymology From Old French penance from Latin paenitentia from poenitere to repent r

• conservative

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense disposed to preserve existing institutio

• abuse

  Etymology The word abuse derives from the Latin word abusus which is made up of the

• sublime

  Etymology The word sublime is derived from the Latin word sublimis which means loft

• atheist

  Etymology and Meaning Origin Greek A prefix Meaning without or not Theos roo

• coffee

  Etymology The word coffee originated from the Arabic word qahwah which referred to

• treasure

• virtual

  Virtual Etymology Meaning The tendency of words to take on a meaning that aligns with t