Let me begin this article by defining two terms that may not be familiar to everyone reading this article: “antinomian” and “pronomian.”
The word “nomian” is derived from the Greek word nomos, which means law. An “antinomian [is] a person who maintains that Christians are freed from the moral law by virtue of grace and faith.”1 Conversely, pronomians (predominately found in the Reformed movement) are people, who do not believe a person is saved, justified, or forgiven by observing the moral laws of Yahweh,2 but who also believe those laws have not been abolished under the New Covenant:
Do we then make void the law through faith [or grace]? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:31)3
Tragically, the vast majority of people calling themselves Christians today espouse antinomian Christianity. Most of what I write in these articles is intended for antinomians. However, as can be seen from the title, this article is aimed at pronomians who claim to believe Psalm 119:7-11—that Yahweh’s law is perfect, His statutes right, His commandments pure, and His judgments righteous altogether. These pronomians should be assessing everything by that law and applying it to all facets of life.
Nothing more frustrating
Nothing is more frustrating than witnessing someone who possesses the solution to a problem and refuses to use it.
Actually, there’s something even more frustrating: witnessing someone who possesses the solution and knows it’s the solution but refuses to use it. This is what I observe all the time with pronomian Christians.
Recently, I had a discussion with a Reformed leader about why the movement has failed to make the expected impact with the perfect law of liberty at their disposal. He said it was because the leaders, in particular, have failed to exhibit grace to each other over nonessential areas of doctrine. In other words, they have failed to heed Paul’s instructions in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 and his warning in Galatians 5:15, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
There is a lot of truth to this. However, there is an equally potent cause contributing to the Reformed movement’s failure to take dominion. They possess the tools of dominion, but, at every turn, they fail to use them. They declare Yahweh’s moral law is the one and only ethical standard for everything, but they fail to act accordingly. In other words, theirs is an intellectual knowledge only, not all that different from the Old Testament Israelites who recognized Yahweh’s law as superior but refused to honor it in everything they did.
Sodomites should be in the closet, not pronomians
Consider what’s occurring on many Reformed blogs. The lion’s share of these articles propose answers to societies’ problem. But Yahweh’s law as the basis for those solutions is seldom mentioned. Many of these “solutions” are aimed at saving the Constitutional Republic. But let’s face it, brethren, in trying to save the Republic, Christians have all but lost the kingdom to the non-Christians and antichrists. Why? Because pronomian Christians refuse to consistently and uncompromisingly use what they know holds the answers to society’s woes.
This is inexcusable and very well may be the height of hypocrisy. This is to be expected from antinomians, but pronomians have the answers. Are you ashamed of your God and His law? Not only the nation, but the entire creation is waiting for you to use His law on its behalf:
For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21)
It isn’t enough for us to know Yahweh’s law is the standard that holds the answer to societies’ problems. If we truly believe Psalm 19:7-9, His law will become integral in everything we say and do:
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Knowledge without action amounts to closet Christianity. In Matthew 5:13, Christ described this as salt that’s lost its savor, good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot of man.
Related posts:
Today’s Mount Carmel Christians
Law and Kingdom: Their Relevance Under the New Covenant
1. Random House Webster’s College Dictionary, s.v. “antinomian” (New York, NY: Random House, 2000) p. 59.
2. YHWH, the English transliteration of the Tetragrammaton, is most often pronounced Yahweh. It is the principal Hebrew name of the God of the Bible and was inspired to appear nearly 7,000 times in the Old Testament. In obedience to the Third Commandment and in honor of His memorial name (Exodus 3:15), and the multitudes of Scriptures that charge us to proclaim, swear by, praise, extol, call upon, bless, glorify, and hold fast to His name, I have chosen to use His name throughout this blog. For a more thorough explanation concerning important reasons for using the sacred name of God, see “The Third Commandment.”
3. For more regarding how Yahweh’s moral law applies today, see Law and Kingdom: Their Relevance Under the New Covenant.
Thanks for this article Ted, now I have a new word to describe myself – pronomian – I like that.
Still praying for your health to improve too.
Heavenly blessings brother.
Thank you! Your prayers are VERY much appreciated!!!
I concur with Ted, the Law of Yahweh is perfect. It follows that in end times, pronomians,are hated, attacked, marginalized, persecuted, and prosecuted by governments whose authority is Satan. We see this daily and a goal is to silence pronomians, period.
Man made solutions for Societal problems utterly fail.To question the failure in unthinkable but to double down on man made failures is the norm. We know that ultimate collapse of the entire system is near.
” Because pronomian Christians refuse to consistently and uncompromisingly ” in the following paragraph you touch on that: ‘Are you ashamed of your God and His law?’ That’s the key at least to start, and WHY is it so? Possibly because they have not fully bolted together scripture as it should be so… some examples would be Psa 82, ex 21, Psa 40 and many more where our EAR in AWLED to the door ie Christ.
Psalms 25.2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Psalms 119.80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
Romans 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Ecclesiastes 12.13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Acts 20.27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Proverbs 30.5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
II Timothy 3.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Deuteronomy 5.32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
I Timothy 1.8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Excellent points, Pastor Ted. Blessings of health and healing upon you.
Thank you! And, upon your Hannah as well!
Praying for your daugher and your family Norm. God bless.
Amen! Well said and on point. I share your frustration at seeing those who know the solution, but apparently fail to understand the power they relinquish, by not advocating that solution be implemented. It is disheartening to see so many Christian websites and blogs, especially those with Reformed or Reconstructionist leanings, claiming to be pronomian, but withholding the ultimate authority of Yahweh’s law. It can be likened to those who preach the Power of the Blood of the Lamb, but withhold the key to accessing that power, by being immersed in the Blood. However, it is heartening, indeed, to see this vital subject getting the treatment it so deserves. This is mandatory if we ever hope to RESTORE, not reform or reconstruct, the Kingdom to its rightful place. Thank you Ted, for being instrumental in bringing this topic to the forefront.
I hear alot of Chrisitians saying don’t worry be happy Christ is just about to arrive and we won’t have to worry about all the stuff that is taking place of the day. I’m kind of thinking they are in for a very long wait. But then again who knows when Christ will return. This I know for sure they are not worried about being a pro or an anti nomian I hope some will turn either hot or cold on this subject. Good artticle Ted!
I’ve enjoyed reading this recent series of blogs, but my question is “this all sounds good and well, how do we apply this truth?”
David, I’m pleased you’ve joined in the discussion.
Your question is best answered, in my opinion, by putting it time frame. Hopefully, we can all agree that what we want to see occur is not going to happen by trying to save this nation by employing the current ungodly system’s means of doing things. For example, we cannot vote our way out of the mess in which we find ourselves. Instead, we must repent our way out of it, which means returning to Yahweh and His morality as found in His commandments, statutes, and judgments.
This is not going to occur overnight. Most of modern Christianity is antinomian, meaning they believe that Yahweh’s moral laws have been abolished and have no practical purpose under the New Covenant (except, of course, the ones they cherry pick). In short, modern Christianity (what in the 17th-century was Christendom) is saltless, good for nothing but to trampled under the foot of man, as per Matthew 5:13. This means that modern saltless Christianity is today’s principle mission field. They must be taught the truth concerning Yahweh’s law and kingdom as they apply today. See “Law and Kingdom: Their Relevance Under The New Covenant” at http://www.bibleversusconstitution.org/law-kingdomFrame.html.
Furthermore, we must recognize that this is a generational vision and that this
generation must begin now in order that a future generation of our posterity
might have the opportunity of doing it right(eous) this time—unlike our late
18th-century American forefathers. We are the very beginning (infancy) of this.
In other words, before we can accomplish what Paul described in 2 Corinthians
10:6, we must first get about accomplishing Verses 3-5.
This battle begins by accepting and teaching the literal truth of Psalm 19:7-11
and identifying our national idol that stands in the way of implementing Yahweh’s commandments, statutes, and judgments. Like Gideon of old, our fathers’ idol must be destroyed before we can implement Yahweh’s law, other than, of course, in our own lives, families, and extended ecclesias. If every Christian were putting the same effort and resources into this as some do every four years in trying to vote the “better” man into office, we would begin to see our way to some REAL progress in saving this nation from the precipice upon which she teeters.
Ted, thank you for your timely response.
I have been praying fervently in the past weeks/months that God would awaken the true church in America to it’s need for repentance and cry out for Mercy. I know this is one of the most important things that I can be doing and that God is in control and has a Kingdom plan for victory.
You’re welcome.
Amen David. I to have many questions, worries and concerns, but, like you said, God IS in control and He DOES have a plan already laid out for us. It is just hard when you have so many brothers and sisters who are Christians out there but are lost in there contentment and antinomianism. I to pray that God raises many men of true virtue that recognize the one and only law we should be following. God bless.
Study the laws, statutes, judgments of Yahweh. Reflect in your life where you fall short and repent. Yah’s TRUTH always maintains Godly equity. His whole word is always in agreement with each other. Breaking his laws always is a combination or shall I say inclusion of breaking the FIRST and the LAST.
Hmm, As I see it,
If a pronomian was actually a pronomian, they wouldnt be ‘called’ a ‘ProNomian’ because they would be so much more than that.
Titles and other nick names are for theorist and other scholarly sorts.
Doers are called Men.
DAvid Zion Brugger,
Well what a surprise. I remember you from years back over at brother Gregory site.
All is well?
This is what im trying to say Titles and names.
Dominion is much to be desired by many folks and groups.
The Liberals the Conservatives ,the commies, the capitalists, the catholics and the protesetants, The rich and the poor.
Every one want dominion over the external world around them.
We forget that the only real dominion we have is over the flesh that we live in.
This is where the real war is going on.
Like Paul said I do not do things things I want to do and I do the things I do not want to do.
For this reason I buffet my body and bring every thought under subjection to Christ.
So yes my brothers and sisters go forth and establish dominion over your own self and this is the key to this argument about following law or grace.
No He did not abolish the law He fullfilled it. What is it to fullfill something.
Does it not mean to make it complete and finished?
This is our goal to fullfill the law not by following it from external stimulus but from internal working and bringing our own members under His subjection.
It won’t be a movement a=on a grand scale but it will be one here another here. The Life of God is indestructable. N0 matter what the evil one brings upon the earth.
He will never quench this everlasting life he so despises.
Many tell me I NEED to follow the laws of the bible.
The whole thing or just a part.
I do not own bulls or sheep or turtledoves to barbeque for for God to smell.
Nor do I have a pile of stones for stoning.
We miss the point the law is fullfilled when you live by His spirit. HIs spirit won’t break any law.
He brought it right home to roost. The external law is useless.
The internal rule of the life giving Spirit is fullfilling the Law.
Ditcher, no one here is recommending keeping the ceremonial laws of the Mosaic Covenant, only the immutable moral laws of Yahweh, as found in His commandments, statutes, and judgments. If you’re interested, I recommend “Law and Kingdom: Their Relevance Under the New Covenant” at http://www.bibleversusconstitution.org/law-kingdomFrame.html.
Thanks I will do that. I meant no offense either. This is your house here and I am an uninvited guest. I am encouraged that you have not come back at me with blasting fury
I respect that.
I’m pleased you’ve joined us. No one of us has perfect understanding of anything. We’re just finites trying to catch up to the infinite.
awesome!!! then we can strive together.
one promise I will make.. I am not an attacker or oout to prove anything.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Mathew 5:18)
What I hear in this is that None of the external will pass away until ALL be fullfilled.
All means ALL and when the law is written on ALL hearts then it will not be needed.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)
notice even the law breaker and teacher of law breakers are still IN the Kingomd not out.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
context… who was talking here All he said was do not worry If you Love me you will keep my commandments. Commandments I taek as literal present tens commandments, Living by the life giving spirit now ink on paper.
“…truth [is] in the law one of those bracketed words.
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31)
Exactly through faith we live out the law and establish it not by following written words but His live words to us in the moment and no nothing He says will break His written words either.
I agree the truth can be found in reading of the law.
In all of the verses the thing to me says this is an internal working.
It comes from the inside out. Yes he came from outside in. But He is now inside working out. everything ever written is IN HIm IN us, and we have access by the spirit .
Welcome aboard. I hope you enjoy your sojourn here. You will find various opinions espoused on this site. None here is perfect in his walk with Christ. But you will also find some of the most engaging discussions, as we come together to advance His Kingdom. I do have a point concerning one of your statements.
“notice even the law breaker and teacher of law breakers are still IN the Kingomd not out.” We must bear in mind that He was talking to those who had come to hear Him. Remember that He said He came to the lost sheep of Israel. Not everyone was to be in His Kingdom. You are correct that even the “least in the Kingdom” is still in the Kingdom. But that would mean that they were already IN the Kingdom. Exactly who IS and IS NOT in the Kingdom is something we can study, and perhaps find some common ground.
Again, welcome.
Yes I agree.
My view is that ALL he created is his Kingdom.
Though He is not like our earthly Kings.
I have a distrust of things written down by men and copied interpeted and translated over millenia. This is why he gave us his Spirit to lead us and guide us. Kinda like traigulation. When navigating in this life. I do know my heart is decietfully wicked, I always have this in mind, I know that the “Bible’ as imperfect thanks to centuries of translating into different languages is not good all on it’s own. And I do believe the fellowship of other believers is the 3 pronged approach to understanding.
Triangulation.
I stuggle with who is the lost sheep. The jews? the white folks? I even know black folks who say they are them.
I can not debate that I do not know.
I do see interesting things in History like around 750 BC or so when the 10 northern tribes got taken over by Syria, some may have wandered off and got away. Rome started around the same time is interesting.
The Iberian peninsula and the Hibernians could be the same people?
the Isaacs sons morphed into the Saxxons.
There are a lot of people saying a lot of things .
I strive to say only what I know and that ain’t much. I strive to stick with what is revealed to me and not speculate. Bu I also try to stay open to other because I am fully aware of my own ability to decieve myself.
“The Mystery of the Gentiles: Who Are They and Where Are They Now?,” at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/mystery-of-gentiles/index.php, should prove helpful in determining who are today’s Israelites.
Ditcher, I don’t think you’ll find anyone here disagreeing that Yahweh intends for our obedience to be generated from hearts surrendered to Him. It’s always been that way. However, that does not eliminate that such a heart will then outwardly demonstrate its love by observing and promoting Yahweh’s perfect law and altogether righteous judgments (Psalm 19:7-11) in all spheres of life. In fact, this is the principle indication of such a heart.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [NASB: lawlessness. Greek word anomos].” (Matthew 7:21-23)
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [NASB: licentiousness, see Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defiinition], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4)
Amen.
I learned some new vocabulary words today! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Karen!