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.

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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

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

• antinomianism noun

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

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

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

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2022

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

Instead of re-enchanting the quotidian, shouldn't we be hanging with Mark Ruffalo at Occupy or going on the rob with antinomian pre-pubescents?

From The Guardian • Jul. 18, 2012

The antinomian and synergistic controversies, Osiander, Major and Flacius, the Philippists and the Crypto-Calvinists are names that still remind us of the theological carnage of the sixteenth century.

From The Lutherans of New York Their Story and Their Problems by Wenner, George