Antinomy refers to a contradiction or paradox between two equally valid principles or truths. The word comes from the Greek anti meaning “against” and nomos meaning “law.” In theology, an antinomy exists when two principles or doctrines seem to contradict each other, yet both are found to be true in the Bible. Antinomies pose a challenge to human logic and reason, since we struggle to reconcile two seemingly opposed truths. However, from God’s perspective, there is no actual contradiction, even if we cannot fully comprehend how both principles can be true at the same time.
Some examples of theological antinomies include:
- God’s sovereignty and human free will
- Salvation by grace alone and the necessity of faith and works
- Jesus Christ being fully God and fully human
- Divine transcendence and immanence
- Predestination and human responsibility
- The unity and diversity within the Godhead
In each case, the Bible affirms both sides of these doctrinal tensions. God is absolutely sovereign, yet humans are responsible for their choices. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, yet genuine faith will inevitably produce good works. Jesus is one person with two natures, divine and human. God is transcendent and far above His creation, yet He is immanent and actively involved in creation.
Why does God allow such theological antinomies to exist? There are several reasons:
- Antinomies display God’s infinitely complex nature and remind us that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We have finite minds and cannot fully comprehend an infinite God.
- Antinomies humble us and remind us of the limits of human logic and reason.
- Antinomies force us to accept divine truths by faith without needing to fully understand everything.
- Antinomies maintain balance and keep us from going to unbiblical extremes on important doctrines.
- Antinomies enhance mystery and wonder regarding our amazing God.
When faced with theological antinomies, our response should be to:
- Accept by faith that both principles are true, even if we can’t fully reconcile them.
- Study Scripture thoroughly to ensure we have correctly understood both principles.
- Avoid extreme views that negate one side of the paradox.
- Ask God for wisdom and humility to embrace the tension.
- Wait patiently for heaven when we will understand perfectly (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Some key Bible passages that speak to the issue of antinomies include:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34)
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
In summary, an antinomy refers to an apparent contradiction between two theological principles or doctrines that are both affirmed in Scripture. Though human reason struggles to reconcile such paradoxes, God understands perfectly how they harmonize within His infinitely complex nature. When faced with antinomies, we should humbly accept them by faith, knowing that one day we will comprehend fully in glory.
Here are some examples of biblical antinomies and how to think about them:
God’s Sovereignty and Human Freedom
This antinomy considers how human beings can make free choices if God is absolutely sovereign over everything that happens. Scripture teaches both that God is in control of all things (Isaiah 46:10) and that humans have a genuine free will to make decisions (Joshua 24:15). From our limited perspective, these seem contradictory. But God understands how our free will fits within His sovereignty.
We should avoid the extremes of determinism that denies free will or of open theism that limits God’s control. Instead, we should accept by faith that both are true, even if we can’t fully grasp it now. We choose freely, yet God remains sovereign.
Faith and Works
The Bible clearly teaches we are saved by grace alone through faith, not by our good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, the Bible also teaches that faith without works is dead and useless (James 2:17). Good works are presented as the evidence of genuine saving faith.
We should avoid the extremes of legalism that teaches salvation by works, or of antinomianism that says works don’t matter. Rather, we should affirm salvation is by grace through faith alone, but that real faith produces good works through the Spirit.
Christ’s Divine and Human Natures
Orthodox Christianity has long upheld that Jesus is one person with two natures – fully God and fully man. Yet how can Jesus be infinite God and finite man at the same time? This mystery has led some groups historically to deny either Christ’s deity or humanity.
However, the biblical witness is clear that Jesus is both divine (John 1:1) and human (1 Timothy 2:5). We should avoid the extremes of denying either nature. By faith, we confess Jesus as fully God and fully man, even if we cannot fully understand the mystery of the Incarnation.
Predestination and Human Freedom
The Bible teaches that God predestines people to be conformed to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). Yet the Bible also presents salvation as a free gift that must be received by faith, allowing for the possibility of rejection (John 3:16). How do God’s sovereignty in predestination and man’s freedom to choose Christ fit together?
We should avoid the extremes of hyper-Calvinism that denies free will or Arminianism that denies God’s control. We should accept that both divine sovereignty and human choice mysteriously coexist in salvation, though we may not grasp how.
God’s Transcendence and Immanence
The doctrine of God affirms that He is transcendent, existing outside of and independent from the creation (Acts 17:24-25). Yet the Bible also teaches God is immanent, actively involved in creation (Jeremiah 23:23-24). How can a transcendent God also be immanent?
We should avoid deism that denies God’s nearness or pantheism that denies His distinctness from creation. Instead we affirm by faith that God is transcendent in His nature yet chooses to be immanent in relating to us, though we cannot fully comprehend how.
Understanding Antinomies
When faced with such theological antinomies, here are some principles to keep in mind:
- Study Scripture thoroughly and recognize that both principles are taught there.
- Avoid going to extremes that deny one side of the paradox in favor of the other.
- Don’t assume human logic can fully reconcile two seemingly contradictory truths.
- Accept the tension by faith, trusting that God understands perfectly.
- Affirm the mystery, knowing that in heaven we will understand fully.
Though challenging to our finite minds, biblical antinomies are an opportunity to humbly acknowledge our limitations, trust God more deeply, avoid theological extremes, and look forward to eternity when all will be understood clearly.
Some key principles to remember about antinomies:
- They display God’s infinitely complex nature, which we cannot fully grasp.
- They humble us and remind us that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
- They call us to childlike faith when our reason reaches its limits.
- They keep us from unbiblical extremes by maintaining paradoxical tension.
- They enhance wonder and awe as we contemplate our amazing God.
In summary, though human reason struggles to fully comprehend theological antinomies, they have an important purpose in deepening our knowledge of God. As we accept them in faith, they make us more humble, balanced, and in awe of our infinitely wise Heavenly Father.
