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antinomian

American  
[an-ti-noh-mee-uhn] / ˌæn tɪˈnoʊ mi ən /

noun

  1. a person who maintains that Christians, by virtue of divine grace, are freed not only from biblical law and church-prescribed behavioral norms, but also from all moral law.


antinomian British  
/ ˌæntɪˈnəʊmɪən /

adjective

  1. relating to the doctrine that by faith and the dispensation of grace a Christian is released from the obligation of adhering to any moral law

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a member of a Christian sect holding such a doctrine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of antinomian

First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin Antinom(ī) name of sect (plural of Antinomus “opponent of (the moral) law,” from Greek antí anti- + nómos “law”) + -ian


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Versions of the antinomian controversy raged throughout Christian history, debated by theologians and enacted by various groups.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2022

Centuries later, the Protestant Reformation would be antinomian in its rejection of Catholic Church law on various points such as the celibacy of the clergy.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2022

Here, the tramp is truly the other: rather than a projection of our fears, he’s a realisation of our romantically antinomian fantasies.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 5, 2015

Marcus’ work shows how to use research without being used by it, and how to make grown-up arguments about the antinomian, instinctive, innocent weirdness in great pop songs.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2014

The term antinomian has since been applied to all doctrines and practices which seem to contemn or discountenance strict moral obligations.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

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