The Fear of Antinomianism

Out of The Horse's Mouth ^ | Jan.27, 2011 | Michael Horton

[Gamecock]

Fear is a powerful motivator. We’ve grown used to it being used in politics to argue for (or against) certain economic, immigration, or military proposals. We sometimes don’t recognize its misuse in the church. This week, the fear of antinomianism (which means the rejection of God’s Law as a standard of righteous action required of God’s covenant people) has been raised. There have been genuine antinomians in church history. There are many today, who set aside God’s law as the standard for God’s righteous judgment, usually substituting their own prescriptions. However, accusations have been raised over the last few days that target people who are decidedly not antinomian. In a recent Christianity Today article by Jason Hood, the antinomian charge was directed at contemporary Reformed preachers and writers. Elsewhere, the White Horse Inn was rebuked for encouraging this false teaching.

There’s no point in responding to accusations point by point. Anyone who subscribes Lutheran or Reformed confessions is conscience-bound to repudiate antinomianism as a perversion of biblical teaching. We do not deny the abiding role of God’s moral law in exposing our sin (first use) and guiding us in grateful and godly living (third use). So if Reformation Christianity is “antinomian” (the perennial charge from Roman Catholic and Arminian quarters), then it would help if critics would let us know the new definition.

The conventional wisdom in many Christian circles is that “we need to find the right balance between law and grace, so that we don’t fall into legalism or license.” Although this counsel has a long history, its most recent expression was urged in Jason Hood’s article. The author expresses concern that too many Reformed Christians today are encouraging antinomianism—or at least reveling in the charge. The author especially criticizes appeals to the point made by Martyn Lloyd-Jones (on the basis of Romans 6:1) that if we aren’t accused of antinomianism, we haven’t preached the gospel properly. In that verse, Paul asks the rhetorical question that he assumes his treatment of the gospel thus far will provoke: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” The author of this article points out that Paul immediately answers in the strongest possible terms, “By no means!” Yet his article implies that those of us who invoke Lloyd-Jones’ point might answer otherwise.

This misunderstanding can be cleared up easily by looking at what Lloyd-Jones goes on to say in that Romans commentary. It could also be cleared up by looking at the sharp denunciations of antinomianism in the Lutheran Book of Concord and the Reformed (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort) and Presbyterian standards (Westminster Confession and Catechisms), as well as the Savoy (Congregationalist) and the London Baptist confessions. With Paul, we answer without hesitation,

By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (vv 2-4).

What’s striking is that Paul answers antinomianism not with the law but with more gospel! In other words, antinomians are not people who believe the gospel too much, but too little! They restrict the power of the gospel to the problem of sin’s guilt, while Paul tells us that the gospel is the power for sanctification as well as justification.

The danger of legalism becomes apparent not only when we confuse law and gospel in justification, but when we imagine that even our new obedience can be powered by the law rather than the gospel. The law does what only the law can do: reveal God’s moral will. In doing so, it strips us of our righteousness and makes us aware of our helplessness apart from Christ and it also directs us in grateful obedience. No one who says this can be considered an antinomian. However, it’s not a matter of finding the right “balance” between law and gospel, but of recognizing that each does different work. We need imperatives—and Paul gives them. But he only does this later in the argument, after he has grounded sanctification in the gospel.

The ultimate antidote to antinomianism is not more imperatives, but the realization that the gospel swallows the tyranny as well as the guilt of sin. It is enough to save Christians even in their failure and not only brings them peace with God in justification, but the only liberation from the cruel oppression of sin. To be united to Christ through faith is to receive everything that we need not only to challenge legalism but antinomianism as well.

[BlueDragon]

Did not GOD tell us to proclaim his message and shout it from the house tops ?

?You were standing on top of your house when you posted that?

Do you have a special stand for your laptop, or did you post by I-phone?

How's the weather up there?

[American Constitutionalist]

" Yes . Did Jesus “die” for nothing ? Did he hang on the cross for 8 hours to bleed out and suck bits air with his lungs full of fluid? FOR NOTHING? He was the Son of God who was sick of sin and sick of the loss of those He created.HE imputed righteousness to your sorry existence.He asked ONE THING-— Believe that MY son did this for you. That is it. That is all . It is over. BELIEVE!! "

When GOD passed judgment on Jesus Christ for OUR sins, all the righteous indignation, condemnation, fury, wrath, punishment in our stead, when God's cup of wrath was satisfied, and all his law was fulfilled, Jesus Christ shouted out :

IT ! IS ! FINISHED !


It means ? God's wrath and anger is no longer on our, we have PEACE with our GOD.
The veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, and man ( anyone ) can now enter his HOLY throne room ( that might explain why some don't want people to know Jesus because they are exclusive, jealous of who can go in and meet GOD themselves ) .
It means ? God's own righteousness is imputed in us and on us.
It means ? GOD will not remember our sins no more.
It means ? he has redeemed that was lost.
It means ? that a HOLY and PURE and RIGHTEOUS and JUST God has the " LEGAL " right to show his LOVE and MERCY and GRACE on us sinners and declare us " NOT GUILTY " ..

[American Constitutionalist]

" ?You were standing on top of your house when you posted that?

Do you have a special stand for your laptop, or did you post by I-phone?

How's the weather up there?

What ? you don't believe GOD's word ? that he told us to proclaim his word ? stop doubting and believe God's word.

[Guyin4Os]

When Michael Horton encourages Christians to stop eating bacon-wrapped shrimp and to keep the Sabbath on the 7th day, then I'll take his admonishments to law-keeping seriously. Furthermore, I don't see him encouraging Christians to search out genealogical records to find any living Amalekites to execute.

Seriously, Christ fulfilled the law. The law of the Spirit and Life has set us free from the law of sin and death. Why does Michael Horton wish to spy out the liberty Christians are to enjoy and return them to bondage?

Paul's letter to the Galatians was written specifically to protect believers from the likes of Michael Horton.

[topcat54]

But Christ appointed apostles who, in turn, appointed elders to watch over His Church.

From Miletus [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Tim. 5:17)

For this reason I [Paul] left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- (Titus 1:5)

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Heb. 13:17)

How can you be obedience to your elders if you do not belong to a local Church?

[Benchim]

Tears fill my eyes as I read you God inspired words. So many are turned away by complexity of ambiguity imposed by Satan and men in robes in brick buildings they are trying to pay for. I go to a church because God loved me not because I want Him to love me. I bet you do too. That is our ministry— FEEEEEDOM. God love you brother or sister.

[Torahman]

The Torah is eternal and is to be observed by all of God's people: Israel. If you are in relationship with the Creator then you are in Israel. He has no covenant with any other people.
Jeremiah speaks of the ‘New Covenant’ with ‘the House of Israel’. Those of Faith are not under the condemnation of violating the Law, but they still are to obey it. John said”he who says he abides in him ought to walk as he walked.” He walked Torah. Now go and learn what that means.It's not complicated. The new Covenant is simply the inner strength to walk out the Torah life. P.S. there is no separate organization called the ‘Church’ in the Bible. It's not there. It's all Israel. There are gatherings or assemblies that have been called ‘church’ in the later translations, but that is due to mis-translating.

[Torahman]

The Torah is eternal and is to be observed by all of God's people: Israel. If you are in relationship with the Creator then you are in Israel. He has no covenant with any other people.
Jeremiah speaks of the ‘New Covenant’ with ‘the House of Israel’. Those of Faith are not under the condemnation of violating the Law, but they still are to obey it. John said”he who says he abides in him ought to walk as he walked.” He walked Torah. Now go and learn what that means.It's not complicated. The new Covenant is simply the inner strength to walk out the Torah life. P.S. there is no separate organization called the ‘Church’ in the Bible. It's not there. It's all Israel. There are gatherings or assemblies that have been called ‘church’ in the later translations, but that is due to mis-translating.

[American Constitutionalist]

Sometimes, I write in big letters not to shout or scream, but, to emphasize in what I am saying, if it seemed I was shouting to some, I beg your pardon and I am sorry.

[topcat54]

Why does Michael Horton wish to spy out the liberty Christians are to enjoy and return them to bondage?

What liberty are you talking about? The liberty to murder? The liberty to commit adultery? The liberty to worship idols or covet your neighbor's wife?

And what bondage? The bondage to love God with all you heart, soul, and mind, and the bondage to love your neighbor as yourself. “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

What exactly do you think you have be freed from?

[American Constitutionalist]

" But Christ appointed apostles who, in turn, appointed elders to watch over His Church. "

Do you think I already know that ?

I never said not to be any part of any local church, but, if the church is not part of the body of Christ or teaching and preaching the word of God the Bible, then get out of that church fast.

[American Constitutionalist]

Hi Job's friends, glad to see you around on this thread , come to cheer us up ?
Let's hear what you have to say as one of JOB'S Friends.

[Lee N. Field]

"I am the member of Ekklesia."

About what I figured. No local instantiation of that, consisting of real and physical human beings?

[metmom]

The danger of legalism becomes apparent not only when we confuse law and gospel in justification, but when we imagine that even our new obedience can be powered by the law rather than the gospel. The law does what only the law can do: reveal God’s moral will. In doing so, it strips us of our righteousness and makes us aware of our helplessness apart from Christ and it also directs us in grateful obedience.

It's been such widespread teaching that the Law was meant as a means of salvation. One of Satan's biggest victories, no doubt.

[Lee N. Field]

Seems to be a lot of discussion on the distinction between the Law and the Gospel around these parts lately.

Boy, they're coming out of the Freerepublic woodwork, aren't they?

[American Constitutionalist]

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD !

You say your still waiting on your promised Messiah ?
How DO YOU know that you won't be fooled and fall into the deception of the world leader, a religious leader, a false Messiah who is to come on to the world seen ?
You already rejected the true Messiah, that is Jesus Christ Yeshua Messiah.
Yes, eventually, GOD will open the eye's of the Jewish people and they will see who they have rejected as their Messiah, but, once again ? how DO YOU KNOW that you won't be deceived and fall into the lie of the anti-christ who is to come on the world seen ?

[metmom]

By the way, for those not fully confident that salvation is free and we must live “sin free”, please define “sin” for me in such a way as we may then make a full list of sins of commission and omission and live my life accordingly. You will bog down in a sea of ambiguity. For example ,”Thou shalt not kill” .Does this apply in self defense? War? Accident? Thou shalt not bear false witness? How many lies do you tell each day? “I’m fine, thank you “ when your not. “I’ll get right on it!” (when you won’t). How about stealing? Oh, Well ,you get my drift. Why did Christ come? Because all are sinner and fall short of the glory of God!

Which exactly why salvation by works, no matter what works they are, is simply not possible.

If someone recognizes that the Law doesn't save and yet substitutes his own law instead, they are left in the same quandary.

[American Constitutionalist]

" The Torah is eternal and is to be observed by all of God's people: Israel. If you are in relationship with the Creator then you are in Israel. He has no covenant with any other people. "

In your Torah, GOD said that he will make a people " the Gentiles " that was not his own, his people also.... look it up, it's there.

[American Constitutionalist]

John said”he who says he abides in him ought to walk as he walked.”

John who ?
You mean one of the people of the New Testament ? ...
In case we have forgotten, you don't believe in the New Testament because you don't believe that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, so ? how can you even quote the New testament ? that's very strange ?

[what's up]

Jeremiah speaks of the ‘New Covenant’ with ‘the House of Israel’.

Yes, the old covenant whereby God's followers were obligated to meet the law's requirements in order to be accepted by God has been done away with. the New Covenant is now in effect.

The new Covenant is simply the inner strength to walk out the Torah life.

No, the New Covenant is HIS strength (not your own) to walk out the law of love.