antinomianism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the Christian theological doctrine that salvation by faith and grace frees believers from the obligation of moral law

   The theologian rejected antinomianism and argued that faith should still guide moral conduct.

2. 2
   noun

   more broadly, opposition to established moral, religious, or legal rules

   Critics mistook the movement's unconventional ethics for outright antinomianism.

From antinomian + -ism; antinomian combines Greek anti-, 'against,' with nomos, 'law.' Martin Luther applied the term to opponents whom he believed separated Christian grace from moral law during the Reformation controversies of the sixteenth century.

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