Antinomianism in Protestant Evangelical Theology #

Antinomianism, from the Greek anti (“against“) and nomos (“law“), refers to the belief that Christians are no longer obligated to follow moral laws because they are under grace. This teaching falsely assumes that the gospel frees believers from the demands of holy living. In Protestant Evangelical theology, Antinomianism is considered a dangerous misrepresentation of grace, leading to spiritual apathy and doctrinal error.

The question of grace versus law has troubled the Church since its earliest days. While the gospel is clear that salvation is by grace through faith, it is equally clear that this grace produces transformation. This article explains the difference between grace and law in the Bible, contrasting Antinomianism with a biblical understanding of grace, and outlines the Evangelical response to Antinomianism.

Definition and Core Claim of Antinomianism #

At its core, Antinomianism claims that since Jesus fulfilled the law, believers no longer have any moral obligations. This often leads to the idea that obedience, repentance, or sanctification is unnecessary. The Antinomian perspective fails to distinguish between the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament (fulfilled in Christ) and the moral law (which reflects God’s unchanging character).

Paul addresses this in Romans 6:1–2:

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

Clearly, grace is not a license to sin. Rather, it is the power that frees us from sin’s mastery and leads us into a life of obedience.

Biblical Definition of Grace #

Biblical grace (Greek: charis) refers to God’s unmerited favor. It is not earned, bought, or deserved. As Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Grace is God’s initiative in saving sinners. However, biblical grace is never passive. It instructs and transforms. Titus 2:11–12 says, “The grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness.” Thus, grace not only pardons but also empowers holy living.

Antinomianism vs Biblical Grace: Key Differences #

Understanding the tension between Antinomianism and grace is essential. The table below shows how they differ fundamentally:

Criteria	Antinomianism	Biblical Grace
View of Law	Law is obsolete and irrelevant	Moral law reflects God’s character and remains instructive
Obedience	Optional and unnecessary	Necessary evidence of true faith
Role of Grace	Forgives sin only	Forgives and empowers transformation
Justification vs Sanctification	Blurs or denies the distinction	Maintains clear biblical difference
Work of the Spirit	Minimized	Essential for living a holy life

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Theological Clarification #

One cause of Antinomianism is the confusion between justification (being declared righteous) and sanctification (being made righteous). These two are inseparable but not identical. Across the Spectrum by Boyd and Eddy explains this tension in evangelical thought. They warn that when sanctification is ignored, the result is often lawlessness disguised as freedom.

In Titus 3:5, Paul teaches that salvation is not by works, yet he calls for good works as a response to grace in the same letter. True evangelical faith sees works as the fruit, not the root, of salvation.

Hermeneutical and Exegetical Foundation #

Evangelical theology is rooted in the inerrancy and clarity of Scripture. As Kevin Gary Smith emphasizes in How to Do an Exegetical Study, believers must seek the author-intended meaning of a passage. Texts like Galatians 5:13–14 are crucial:

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Here Paul shows that Christian liberty is not autonomy. It is freedom to serve in love. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching that the greatest commandments are to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40).

Historical and Reformational Background #

The term “Antinomianism” was popularized during the Protestant Reformation. Though Martin Luther emphasized sola gratia (grace alone), he was clear that genuine grace leads to a changed life. In his disputes with followers like Johann Agricola, who taught radical grace without responsibility, Luther maintained that God’s law still plays a role in the believer’s life, not for salvation but for sanctification.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary confirms this, stating that the moral law remains a guide for conduct. The Scofield Reference Bible also warns against abusing dispensational grace as an excuse for disobedience.

Evangelical Affirmation of Grace and Obedience #

Evangelicals affirm that:

1. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8–9).
2. Grace leads to transformation. It trains believers to live righteously and to pursue holiness (Titus 2:11–12).
3. The Holy Spirit produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23), all of which reflect obedience to God’s moral will.
4. The law is fulfilled in love (Romans 13:10), and believers now obey from the heart, not out of obligation but from Spirit-born desire (Romans 6:17).

This holistic view protects the integrity of the gospel and ensures that the Church does not swing to either legalism or Antinomianism.

Real-Life Applications for the Church Today #

Many churches struggle to maintain a biblical balance. Some emphasize behavior to the point of legalism; others avoid discussing sin entirely, fearing it might be “ungracious.” But teaching that downplays obedience ends up producing shallow disciples.

Discipleship rooted in grace reminds believers that while God accepts us as we are, He never leaves us that way. Grace is not passive. It is powerful. It empowers believers to forgive, love, resist sin, and walk in the Spirit.

Conclusion #

Antinomianism vs Biblical Grace is not merely a theological debate. It strikes at the heart of how we understand the gospel. From a Protestant Evangelical viewpoint, grace is not opposed to law. It fulfills and empowers it.

Rejecting Antinomianism protects the Church’s call to holiness and faithfulness. By rightly dividing the Word of truth, Evangelicals uphold the full message of the gospel. Grace that forgives, grace that transforms, and grace that glorifies God through lives of joyful obedience.

References (APA Style) #

• Boyce, J. P. (1887). Abstract of Systematic Theology. Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
• Boyd, G. A., & Eddy, P. R. (2009). Across the Spectrum (2nd ed.). Baker Academic.
• Easton, M. G. (1897). Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Thomas Nelson.
• Geisler, N. L. (1999). Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Baker Books.
• Scofield, C. I. (1917). The Scofield Reference Bible. Oxford University Press.
• Smith, K. G. (n.d.). How to Do an Exegetical Study.
• The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2001). Crossway Bibles.