From anti , “against,” and nomos, “law,” and meaning an attitude of hostility toward law, specifically, of Christians toward the Law, including the Decalogue. Traces of antinomianism were evident among Gnostic Manicheans of the third century, and throughout the Middle Ages. It originated as a distinct theological phenomenon with Johannes Agricola (1492–1566), in Germany, whose views were condemned by the Formula of Concord in 1577. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it appeared in England, where its advocates were known as “the Ranters.” It is found today in certain forms of dispensationalism.
The antithesis of antinomianism is nomism, which manifests itself as legalism, that is, the idea that salvation can be obtained by strict compliance with legal requirements instead of by faith in Jesus Christ. Seventh-day Adventists believe that legalism and antinomianism are equally contrary to the spirit of the gospel. They see the Ten Commandment law on the one hand, and grace on the other hand, not as mutually exclusive, but as complementary ( Rom. 1:17 ; 3:31 ; 5:1 ; 7:12 ). To SDA s, salvation is by grace alone, but obedience to all of God’s revealed will, including the Decalogue, is the fruit of faith (see DA 126). The function of the Decalogue is to convict of sin, but law has no power to pardon. Pardon comes exclusively by justification through faith in Christ ( Review and Herald 3:24 , June 10, 1852). See Law ; Law and Grace ; Righteousness by Faith .