What is "antinomianism"

Antinomianism \An`ti*no"mi*an*ism\, n. The tenets or practice of Antinomians.
--South.

1640s, from antinomian + -ism.

n. 1 (context Christianity English) A religious movement which believes that only the spiritual 'law of Faith' (Romans 3:27) is essential for salvation; and which is 'against' all other practical 'laws' being taught as being essential for salvation; and referring to them as legalism. 2 (context Judaism English) Opposition to the Torah.

n. the theological doctrine that by faith and God's grace a Christian is freed from all laws (including the moral standards of the culture)

In Christianity, an antinomian is one who takes the principle of salvation by faith and divine grace to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow the Law of Moses.

The distinction between antinomian and other Christian views on moral law is that antinomians believe that obedience to the law is motivated by an internal principle flowing from belief rather than from any external compulsion.

The term antinomianism emerged soon after the Protestant Reformation (c.1517) and has historically been used as a pejorative against Christian thinkers or sects who carried their belief in justification by faith farther than was customary. Antinomianism in modern times is commonly seen as the theological opposite to Legalism or Works righteousness, the notion that obedience to religious law earns salvation. This makes antinomianism an exaggeration of justification by faith alone.

Examples are Martin Luther's critique of antinomianism and the Antinomian Controversy of the 17th century Massachusetts Bay Colony. The term originated in the 16th century, but the topic has its roots in Christian views on the old covenant extending back to the 1st century. It can also be extended to any individual who rejects a socially established morality. Few groups explicitly call themselves antinomian, other than Christian anarchists or Jewish anarchists.