Antinomianism

Theology quiz

August 26, 2010

What do you think about the following statement? True or false? Those things which have been commanded [by God] are necessary as the fruits of righteousness, even if they are not necessary for righteousness itself which comes alone from faith. For it is not the freedom of the Gospel to be able to omit the [...]

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The threefold pattern of Christian theology and life

December 14, 2009

I should have learned this in Seminary, but it wasn’t until after ordination that my friend, Pastor Tom Fast (then at Christ Lutheran, Jacob, Illinois, and now in Fairmont, MN), introduced me to the basic structure of Lutheran theology, seen in the first three chief parts of the Small Catechism: Repentance, Faith, Holy Living. (This [...]

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FC VI, part 3 of 7

August 26, 2008

For seven days, I am publishing one part per day of Article VI in the Formula of Concord (Epitome) on the Third Use of the Law. Here is the third affirmative statement: Although believers are regenerate and renewed in the spirit of their mind, in the present life this regeneration and renewal is not complete. [...]

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FC VI, part 2 of 7

August 25, 2008

For seven days, I am publishing one part per day of Article VI in the Formula of Concord (Epitome) on the Third Use of the Law. Here is the second affirmative statement: We believe, teach, and confess that the preaching of the Law is to be encouraged diligently. This applies not only for the unbelieving [...]

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FC VI, part 1 of 7

August 24, 2008

For seven days, I will publish one part of the Formula of Concord: Epitome, Article VI, the Third Use of the Law. Here is the first affirmative statement: We believe, teach, and confess that, even though people who are truly believing in Christ and truly converted to God have been freed and exempted from the [...]

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"These works are done by believers"

August 23, 2008

There is a growing problem of antinomianism in contemporary Lutheranism. Rev. Paul McCain had a brief post about this on his blog, and we’ve commented on it here as well. “Christ does all good works through me,” they will say – and accuse you of false doctrine if you preach that the Christian does (and [...]

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Enabled by God to live

July 10, 2008

One thing I need to look into–and sooner rather than later–is this idea that I hear among some Lutherans that Christians don’t do good works, it is only Christ working in the believer. I’ve written before that I consider this the modern antinomianism, and what I want to do is find out the source of [...]

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Works Prompted by the Spirit

October 24, 2007

It is striking to me–and undoubtedly would horrify the modern antinomians–to see how clearly Luther upholds both salvation by grace alone and the life of good works done by the saved. Your ways are not My ways.… Here He is speaking of ways by which we are justified. There are two ways. The one, by [...]

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Mechanistic Repentance

June 11, 2007

I have written and spoken often about my concerns that Lutheranism as it is practiced and understood by many today inculcates a mechanistic reliance upon general confession and is imbued with a spirit of antinomianism. (I do not believe that this is in any way consistent with the Symbols of our church.) Pr. William Weedon [...]

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