Originally published in "The Lord's Coming Herald & Wesleyan Bible Prophecy Advocate," Summer Edition 2004
Further Insights Into Antinomianism
Antinomianism is an ancient religious
heresy that is as old as the human race. It has its roots in the fallen nature
of man. Antinomianism means "lawlessness." In terms of biblical revelation, it
refers to the rebellion of the carnal mind against the revelation of God, as
expressed in his commandments, precepts, and laws.
The theological message of antinomianism is that one can be a
child of God without obedience to the laws of God. In other words, one can call
one's self a Christian, and go on living in sin by thought, word, and deed every
day, even though the express purpose of Christ's mission was "to destroy the
works of the devil" (I Jn. 3:8), and "to save His people from [not in] their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
Antinomians teach that they are "holy" by the imputation of
Christ's righteousness alone, it doesn't matter what their own personal moral
character is like. At the heart of antinomianism lies the denial that God can,
will, and wants to cleanse humanity from inherited depravity.
Antinomians are sworn foes to any profession of "heart
purity" as the spirit of loving obedience to the objective commands of God. It
would fill the world with professors of religion who are not redeemed from sin.
The Holiness people, historically, have called this approach
"sinning religion," and have, until recent times, courageously opposed it. As a
serious subversion of the true religion of the Bible, antinomianism lies at the
center of the apostasy of the very last days.
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