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

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

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2022

An early instance of antinomian free love provokes the apostle Paul to write to the Corinthians in his New Testament letter.

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 heretics who went before the reformation are lavishly accused by the church writers of antinomian practices, just as the first Christians were accused of indulgence in orgies by the Romans.

From Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature by James, William