Baptist Antinomians?

[Thinkingstuff]

Is it accurate to describe us baptist as Antinomians? Luther initially put the charge to the teachings of Johannes Agricola. Which seems to have picked up a strong essence under Oliver Cromwells England. Any thoughts?

 

[Darron Steele]

Antinomianism, if I am not mistaken, is the belief that we have no obligation to follow any rules.

As a non-Baptist Christian, I would say that Baptists are definitely not antinomians.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Is it accurate to describe us baptist as Antinomians?

no

I tried to just say "no", but it said my mesage was too short... Now I guess I am above the limit. :thumbs:

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Antinomianism, if I am not mistaken, is the belief that we have no obligation to follow any rules.

As a non-Baptist Christian, I would say that Baptists are definitely not antinomians.

Why or why not? The wiki deffinition is this

in theology, is the idea that members of a particular religious group are under no obligation to obey the laws of ethics or morality, and that salvation is by faith only.[2] Antinomianism is the polar opposite of legalism, the notion that obedience to a code of religious law is necessary for salvation.

Or whether or not we obey moral laws is irrelevant to our salvation. Thus we have no "creed" nor set of religious laws that are required for salvation. Our claim is that we are saved by faith alone. The simple belief in Jesus for our salvation is sufficient for our Justification and if you're of a Calvinistic predisposition (Which I had been for many years) any sin is not sufficient enough to seperate us from our salvation. So in theory are we antinomians and practically no? Please flush this out. Thank you.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

no

I tried to just say "no", but it said my mesage was too short... Now I guess I am above the limit. :thumbs:

Understandable but I was hoping for more meat. Thanks.

 

[Tom Bryant]

The wikipedia definition is pretty weak. It's when we try to reduce a set of beliefs to a single word, we will cause problems. There is no one kind of Calvinist. Just like there is on one kind of non-Cal. The answer is in the nuances.

So, it would depend on how you are defining antinomianism. If it's the belief that we don't have to obey the law for salvation then we would be. But I don't think that's an accurate definition.

If it is the belief that we don't have to obey any OT laws and principles, then we're not.

If it's the opposite of legalism, then Baptists who have historically held in salvation by faith apart from works, then we are.

My answer would still be "no" according to my definition.

 

[Salty]

no

I tried to just say "no", but it said my mesage was too short... Now I guess I am above the limit. :thumbs:

You must be a antinomians, since you didnt follow th rueles:tonofbricks:

 

[Thinkingstuff]

The wikipedia definition is pretty weak. It's when we try to reduce a set of beliefs to a single word, we will cause problems. There is no one kind of Calvinist. Just like there is on one kind of non-Cal. The answer is in the nuances.

So, it would depend on how you are defining antinomianism. If it's the belief that we don't have to obey the law for salvation then we would be. But I don't think that's an accurate definition.

If it is the belief that we don't have to obey any OT laws and principles, then we're not.

If it's the opposite of legalism, then Baptists who have historically held in salvation by faith apart from works, then we are.

My answer would still be "no" according to my definition.

Well, considering the history of the term I guess that to put it into context we have Johann Agricola dislike for Melanchthon. Melanchthon noticed that the Lutheran movement was being populated by people who like the popular ideas but were not adjusting their life accordingly. So Melanchthon produced a circular which emphasised the need of Lutheran Clergy to

not only to preach on faith, but also to encourage people to the confession of sin, repentance, and conversion, and to dwell upon the commandments of the Law

Where Johann critized Melanchthon for abandoning the doctrine of "faith alone". Luther met with Johann in Torgau and accused him of taking the Refomation Ideas and using it to assert Antinomianism. Luther had him censured him claiming that Johann was teaching

as good works do not promote salvation, so neither do evil works hinder it; and, as all Christians are necessarily sanctified by their very vocation and profession, so as justified Christians, they are incapable of losing their spiritual holiness, justification, and final salvation by any act of disobedience to, or even by any direct violation of the law of God.

Now with this context with regard to the deffinition where do baptist fit in?

 

[Marcia]

My understanding of antinomianism is that is has nothing to do with beliefs about salvation but rather is a belief that we can do anything we want because we are forgiven and saved. The Bible clearly does not teach that.

I think this term applied to some of the Corinthians who, through influence from the early Gnostics, believed that the body didn't matter and therefore, they could get drunk, have orgies, etc. This was antinomianism.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

My understanding of antinomianism is that is has nothing to do with beliefs about salvation but rather is a belief that we can do anything we want because we are forgiven and saved. The Bible clearly does not teach that.

I think this term applied to some of the Corinthians who, through influence from the early Gnostics, believed that the body didn't matter and therefore, they could get drunk, have orgies, etc. This was antinomianism.

Refer to post 8. Also note that you're discription is an end result of an Antinomian view but not necissarily a begining premise. As with Luther and Johann.

 

[saturneptune]

Antinomianism, if I am not mistaken, is the belief that we have no obligation to follow any rules.

As a non-Baptist Christian, I would say that Baptists are definitely not antinomians.

The only "rule" that is found in most church Constitutions that non-Baptists think of us as being bound by is alcohol. Lots of Baptists on this board if you have read the threads do not believe in abstinence.

As far as the other rules, they are for the most part not true, and have become attached to us over the years, such as dancing, card playing, the lottery, etc. Lots of Baptists do not believe in such, but it is no where in church doctrine.

Baptists do not memorize a set of rules and try to obey them through clean living. They have a relationship with Christ, and obey His commands out of a love for Him though the strenght of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Marcia]

Baptists do not memorize a set of rules and try to obey them through clean living. They have a relationship with Christ, and obey His commands out of a love for Him though the strenght of the Holy Spirit.

That's why I am not sure the term 'antinomian' makes sense today unless it means disregarding the principles urged for Christian behavior in the NT.