Irenical Reflections on Antinomianism and Neonomianism

The Antinomian-Neonomian controversy of the 17th century was sparked by the republication of Tobias Crisps sermons, Christ Alone Exalted, which faced accusations of antinomianism from Richard Baxter. Baxter himself was then labeled a neonomian—suggesting that Christ’s atonement has diminished the law’s requirements, allowing mere effort to replace perfect obedience. This controversy highlighted various interpretations of ethical thought, where some argued that the Moral Law is irrelevant to believers, leading to severe implications for Christian conduct. Notably, the esteemed theologian Witsius sought to address these disputes in his work, offering a measured review that defended Crisp against many accusations. Ultimately, this led to his influential publication in 1696, Conciliatory or Irenical Animadversions on the Controversies Agitated in Britain under the Unhappy Names of Antinomians and Neonomians, which gained significant acclaim, especially after its English translation in 1807