Heresy WATCH: ANTINOMIANISM: This says essentially that Christians are freed by grace from obligations of any moral law. St Paul had to refute a charge of this type made by opponents because of his attitude to the Mosaic Law (Romans 3:8) This hideous heresy was condemned by Decree on Justification, chapter XV Council of Trent. While very few groups claim this particular ant-doctrine as their own, there are many sects today that are de-facto antinomianists. ANY Faith suggesting that by Grace, you have no longer ANY obligations of ANY moral law--is guilty of Antinomianist HERESY. ANY True Christian, that is to say CATHOLIC, who knows his Faith, is aware that justification comes through Faith, and Faith alone--that is Scriptural and thereby beyond any shadow of a doubt. The controversy arises when some claiming to be Catholic take that belief further than is acceptable, by which I mean to indicate that there is all Justification--and either no, or poorly understood Sanctification. The term antinomianism was first used as an insult to followers of the early protestant reformation (i.e. LUTHER) who began to literally encourage people to sin because absolutely nothing could separate them from God--once they were saved. (This was a precursor to the OSAS--Once Saved Always Saved notion.) Now to try to wriggle their way out of being open advocates for sin itself (like Luther did), it is widely known that many antinomians believe that obedience to the law is motivated by an internal principle flowing from belief rather than any external compulsion. In other words, that the good works flow from the Faith as naturally as water falls to the ground when poured from a pail. They do NOT acknowledge the need for good works by any form of compulsion--or commandment--totally believe we are no longer under the Law (in their terms--the 10 commandments). It is precisely why I believe the recidivism rate among so-called born again Christians is so very high. They believe they can sin with impunity and God will still save them because they walked up to some altar call and claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior (which He most certainly is--but they fail to forget that in almost every instance where Jesus healed or forgave he added a little codicil to the effect Go thy way and SIN NO MORE... in another case lest a WORSE thing come to thee... These little pearls of Wisdom the antinomianists like to toss out as either trivial or Old Testament because the New only began after the Resurrection. Still theres that issue with James Faith without works is DEAD... and, too, the above cited quotes from Romans 3:8, not to mention the Book of Acts of the Apostles Chapter 24 (definitely NEW Testament) where Paul is brought to trial before Felix; and what is the accusation? Obstinate failure to observe the LAW--those of man, AND their God. Pauls rebuke includes quite clearly that he has never violated either. --Kinda hard to get around that one. Again, one could write a dissertation on the many aspects of antinomianism and its many faces--including traces of gnosticism (Another heresy we will cover--Lord willing). That said... keep in mind that when someone tells you you are saved... and that ends the matter, cite to them the following: 2 Peter 3:16 (regarding the MANY quotes from Paul, in particular the books of Galatians, Ephesians and Romans--to prove Grace only and no works) Peter says As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.... think about that one! Hebrews 6:4-6 (regarding the Once Saved Always Saved notion) -- Paul writes: ...For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery.... seems Paul thought that once youve tasted the Gospel, and then FELL AWAY (i.e. no good works to manifest that Faith) .. you were incurably LOST. So much for OSAS. And to close of THIS discussion--the immortal words of the book of James, of which Luther wrote: ...the epistle of St. James is an epistle full of straw, because it contains nothing evangelical. (Preface to the New Testament, ed. Dillenberger, p. 19.) and again: (speaking of James this DEFECT...“proves that the epistle is not of apostolic provenance.” and further “What does not teach Christ is not apostolic, not even if taught by Peter or Paul. On the other hand, what does preach Christ is apostolic, even if Judas, Annas, Pilate, or Herod does it.” (hmmm... something about though even if an angel from Heaven comes to mind here.) I could go on and on about Luthers insane tirades against James, including a desire to shred it and toss it into a river; but a closer look at James 2:14-26 will clearly show you why. 14 What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? 15 And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: 16 And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? 17 So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself. 18 But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith. 19 Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, offering up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled, saying: Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God. 24 Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only? 25 And in like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, receiving the messengers, and sending them out another way? 26 For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead. So much for Antinomianism! RIP!
Posted on: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:37:51 +0000
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