Antinomianism: Difference between revisions

'''Antinomianism''' (a term coined by [[Martin Luther#Anti-Antinomianism|Martin Luther]], from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''ἀντί'', "against" + ''νόμος'', "law"), is a belief or tendency in all religions that some therein consider existing laws as no longer applicable to themselves.<ref>[The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, 1997]</ref> The term originated in the context of a minority Christian[[Protestant]] view that since [[Faith in Christianity|faith]] itself alone is sufficient to attain salvation, adherence to [[religious law]] is not necessary,<ref>[Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language: College Edition 1966]</ref> and religious laws themselves are set aside or "abrogated" as inessential. While the concept is related to the foundational [[Protestant]] belief of ''[[Sola Fide]]'' where [[Justification (theology)|justification]] is through faith alone in Christ; it is taken to an extreme. It is seen by some as the opposite of the notion that obedience to a code of religious law earns salvation: [[legalism (theology)|legalism]] or [[New Perspective on Paul#Works of the Law|works righteousness]]. An ''antinomian'' theology does not necessary imply the embrace of [[Permissive society|ethical permissiveness]]; rather it usually implies emphasis on the inner working of the [[Holy Spirit]] as the [[Christian ethics|primary source of ethical guidance]].<ref name="britannica.com">[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/28267/antinomianism Encyclopedia Britannica: Antinomianism]</ref>