Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Antinomianism vs. Legalism



The term "Antinomianism" was coined by Martin Luther during the Reformation, to criticize extreme interpretations of the new Lutheran soteriology. The Lutheran Church benefited from early Antinomian controversies by becoming more precise in distinguishing between Law and gospel and justification and sanctification.  An Antinomian is defined as "one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation."

Erlangen school of Neo-Lutheranism, tried to combine Lutheran theology with modern thought and focused on the second use of the law (which is it's primary function). Mainline protestants who are essentially moving toward Antinomianism, accepting secular things into their theology, essentially abolishing the law altogether.


Erring on the other side, the reformed, baptists, and new evangelicals have been preaching almost exclusively the third use of the law to the neglect of not only the other uses, but to the neglect of the gospel.  The so-called called Keswick theology focuses on a two-tiered  Christianity, where justification/salvation is only the first small step and sanctification occupies the majority of their preaching and teaching. Finally, then there are the legalists, who have little to no use for the Gospel at all and preach true works righteousness.

As a confessional Lutheran, I have been called both an Antinomian and a Pharisee by people on the opposite sides. Be that as it may, I will continue to go the middle (and correct path) of acknowledging all uses of the law, while keeping in mind the second use is its primary function because the Gospel must predominate.

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