Antinomianism
QUESTION
What is the common understanding of an “antinomian”? Have Primitive Baptists ever been accused of antinomianism?
ANSWER
What is the common understanding of an “antinomian”?
The term “antinomian” literally means “against law.” It has some breadth of meaning across both secular and religious contexts, but I most often hear it used regarding the belief that the moral law is no longer binding on Christians since salvation is by the grace of God. At first blush, this assertion might seem to carry some weight given that grace is salvation independent of one’s personal performance in righteousness, or perhaps better stated, in spite of one’s failure to perform righteousness. However, this view embeds an unnecessary and unscriptural notion into its premise, namely that eternal salvation must be the only possible reason one should follow the moral precepts of the bible. That enormous error is overlooked by antinomians. Salvation by grace should not lead one to conclude that, “It doesn’t matter how I live.” Quite the opposite. Anticipating that some would arrive at this conclusion, the apostle Paul takes up the matter in the epistle to the Romans:
“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? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:” (Romans 6:1-8)
Clearly Paul objected to the short-sighted conclusions of antinomianism.
Have Primitive Baptists ever been accused of antinomianism?
I am sure that Primitive Baptists have been accused of virtually every error under the sun, antinomianism included. I believe what you intend is something more like, “Have Primitive Baptists ever been legitimately accused of antinomianism?” I believe that accusation has been leveled and rightly so in some instances. Given that Paul anticipated this mindset as a possible misapplication of the doctrine of grace, we should not be surprised if we see people engaging in this error to varying degrees. We do well to guard against it even as we should guard against other sins and errors.
Having said that, I would also note that the term “antinomian” is often hurled at sovereign grace believing Christians without any evidence, often by Christian legalists who insist that eternal salvation is a function of one’s willing and active participation with God. In such instances, it is a slanderous accusation against the doctrine of salvation by grace rather than an indictment of the individual. It might take the form of, “If I believed like you, I’d go out and sin all I want.” So far as I can tell, that shocking admission reveals more about the accusers attitude toward sin than anything else.
I would ask every Christian to consider the public reaction received from the declaration of their doctrine. If Paul believed that the preaching of grace would lead many to conclude that “salvation by grace” equals “antinomianism,” and you have never been accused of antinomianism, it is possible that you have never preached the gospel of sovereign grace at all. That is something worthy of consideration.
- Elder Daniel Samons