Origin of the First Secession from the Kirk of Scotland
Background
Auchterarder Creed
Marrow of Modern Divinity
Edward Fisher
Marrow Brethren
Thomas Boston
James Hog
Ebenezer Erskine
Robert Riccaltoun
Ralph Erskine
Associate Presbytery
Opponents
Neonomians
James Hadow
General Assembly
Doctrines
Republication of the Covenant of Works
Assurance
Free offer of the gospel
Covenant theology
Law and Gospel
Topics
Antinomianism
Legalism
Sola fide
Repentance
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Neonomianism in Christian theology is the doctrine that the Gospel is a new law, the requirements of which humanity fulfills by faith and repentance, often including a distinction between initial and final justification, the latter being merited through good deeds. Neonomianism is most often associated with the theology of Richard Baxter (1615–1691) and James Hadow (1667–1747).[1][2][3] The theology of Richard Baxter has caused much controversy among Reformed theologians, because his teachings have been seen as opposing justification by faith alone. Neonomianism was significant within the Marrow Controversy.[4][5]
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[6]
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.[7][8]
^VanDoodewaard, William (2011-11-01). The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition: Atonement, Saving Faith, and the Gospel offer in Scotland (1718-1799). Reformation Heritage Books. ISBN 978-1-60178-329-5.
^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. (16 December 1991). "'Go Fetch Baxter'". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
leading opponents of neonomianism. He set forth his arguments against Williams in his book Neonomianism Unmask'd. The Neonomian controversy with the Marrow...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
atonement and aim to guide the reader safely between Antinomianism and Neonomianism. The dispute involved two parties, being the Marrow Brethren and the...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
to the necessary obedience. A similar controversy was caused by the Neonomianism of Richard Baxter, to which Lordship salvation has been compared. The...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Acts of the Apostles Legalism (theology) Libertine Minuth Montanism Neonomianism Sovereign citizen movement Supersessionism He [Marcion] further maintained...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
opposed the doctrine of Neonomianism which saw acts of obedience as meritorious. A common claim of the Marrowmen was that Neonomianism made the New Covenant...
Erskine Robert Riccaltoun Ralph Erskine Associate Presbytery Opponents Neonomians James Hadow General Assembly Doctrines Republication of the Covenant of...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
it is inconsistent with salvation by faith alone. Marrow Controversy Neonomianism Antinomian controversy "Lordship Salvation". Ligonier Ministries. Retrieved...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...
Pilgrims Puritans Neo-Calvinism New Calvinism Marrow Brethren Amyraldians Neonomians New England theology Organizations World Communion of Reformed Churches...