This, ladies and germs, is the shot over the bow intended to accuse us all of "Antinonianism". This actual heresy was something the Reformers ALSO disputed and is NOT what Protestants nor any of us have EVER espoused. The term:
Antinomianism may be viewed as the polar opposite of legalism, the notion that obedience to a code of religious law is necessary for salvation. In this sense, both antinomianism and legalism are considered errant extremes.
In the case of Christianity, the controversy arises out of the doctrine of grace, the forgiveness of sins and atonement by faith in Jesus Christ. If God forgives sins, what exactly is the disadvantage in sinning, or the reward of obedience?
There are several issues that are addressed by the charge of antinomianism. The charge may represent the fear that a given theological position does not lead to the edification of the believer or assist him in leading a regenerate life. Doctrines that tend to erode the authority of the church and its right to prescribe religious practices for the faithful are often condemned as antinomian. The charge is also brought against those whose teachings are perceived as hostile to government and established authority.
The first people accused of antinomianism were found, apparently, in Gnosticism; various aberrant and licentious acts were ascribed to these by their orthodox enemies; we have few independent records of their actual teachings. In the Book of Revelation 2:6-15, the New Testament speaks of Nicolaitans, who are traditionally identified with a Gnostic sect, in terms that suggest the charge of antinomianism might be appropriate.
Roman Catholicism tends to charge Protestantism with antinomianism, based in part on the distinctively Protestant doctrine of sola fide, salvation by faith alone, and the typical Protestant rejection of the elaborate sacramental liturgy of the Roman church, and its body of canon law. Within Roman Catholicism itself, Blaise Pascal accused the Jesuits of antinomianism in his Lettres provinciales, charging that Jesuit casuistry undermined moral principles. Charges of antinomianism have also been bandied about within the Protestant camp as well; Martin Luther accused Johannes Agricola of antinomianism and rejecting the notion of a moral law; other Protestant groups that have been so accused include the Anabaptists and Mennonites. Calvinists have also drawn charges of antinomianism. In the history of American Puritanism, Roger Williams was accused of antinomian teachings by the Puritan leadership of New England.
Theological charges of antinomianism typically imply that the opponent's doctrine leads to various sorts of licentiousness, and imply that the antinomian chooses his theology in order to further a career of dissipation. The conspicuous austerity of life among surviving groups of Anabaptists or Calvinists suggests that these accusations are mostly for rhetorical effect. http://www.theopedia.com/Antinomianism
As much as our RC FRiends would like to presume this is the gospel we promote, it is obvious that we certainly do NOT. Nobody here has ever said we can sin all we want and it doesn't matter, have we, annalex? We have repeatedly said that a life of holiness, one that honors God and brings glory to Him, is WHY we are saved by grace through faith and not by works and given the indwelling Holy Spirit. God has saved us for good works which He has before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). No one may boast before God for his salvation nor his motives for good works. In is Christ IN us who motivates them.
Not one of our righteous deeds contributes to our salvation which is by grace alone. So, sorry, you will not find that heresy among us here. Like the article says, it is for rhetorical effect and a pejorative term used to deny the truth of what really is being preached. Grace is grace.
Great post bb.
No, I actually said rather the opposite, with St. Paul, that you are not saved by the works of any human law. Thanks for the dissertation, but I don't see how it relates to anything I said.
And the Catholics on this forum have been told over and over again but they refuse to hear those words. They cannot hear them for their ears have been stopped up lest they see the error of their teachings.