Neonomianism
| Part of a series on |
| The Marrow Controversy |
|---|
 |
 Reformed Christianity portal |
Neonomianism (from Greek 'new law')[original research?] in Christian theology is the doctrine that the Gospel is a new law, the requirements of which humanity fulfills by faith and repentance, most often associated with the theology of Richard Baxter (1615–1691), however there are multiple types of Neonomianism.[1] The theology of Richard Baxter has caused much controversy among Reformed theologians, because his teachings have been seen to have been seen as opposing justification by faith alone, including a clash with the Marrow Brethren on soteriology.[2] [3]
Richard Baxter defended this view when he wrote,
In our first Believing we take Christ in the Relations of a Saviour, and Teacher, and Lord, to save us from all sin, and to lead us to glory. This therefore importeth that we accordingly submit unto him, in those his Relations, as a necessary means to the obtaining of the benefits of the Relations. Our first faith is our Contract with Christ….And all Contracts of such nature, do impose a necessity of performing what we consent to and promise, in order to the benefits….Covenant-making may admit you, but it's the Covenant-keeping that must continue you in your privileges.
— Richard Baxter, Aphorisms of Justification[4]
William Styles defined Neonomianism as a doctrine associated with the theologian Daniel Williams, "which held that God has receded from the demands of the Moral Law, and given up its original obligations—and that the Gospel is a New Law, but of milder requirements, in which Faith, Repentance, and sincere though imperfect Obedience, are substituted in the room of the perfect and perpetual Obedience required by the original Law." (William Styles, A Manual of Faith and Practice)
Isaac Chauncy (1632–1712) was one of the leading opponents of neonomianism. He set forth his arguments against Williams in his book Neonomianism Unmask'd.
The Neonomian controversy with the Marrow Brethren has been compared to the Lordship salvation controversy.[5][6]
See also
References
- ^ "Neonomianism". www.reformation21.org. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
- ^ "The Marrow Controversy—Lessons in Free Grace". www.monergism.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
- ^ "Richard Baxter (1615-1691) | Monergism". www.monergism.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
- ^ Cited in Packer, JI (2001). The Redemption and Restoration of Man in the Thought of Richard Baxter. Vancouver, CA: Regent College Publishing. p. 257. ISBN 1573831743.
- ^ Nyenhuis, Jacob E. (2007-06-06). A Goodly Heritage: Essays in Honor of the Reverend Dr. Elton J. Bruins at Eighty. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-8028-6002-6.
- ^ Packer, Timothy Beougher And J. I. "'Go Fetch Baxter'". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
 | This Christian theology article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |