Antinomian Controversy: Inspiring the Separation of Church and State in the USA

Q: What was the Antinomian Controversy of 1637?

The Antinomian Controversy of 1637 was a religious-political conflict in the Massachusetts Bay Colony over the primacy of God's grace over people's works as understood in Puritan theology.

Q: What does "antinomian" mean?

Antinomian means "against the law" and comes from the Greek. In the case of the Antinomian Controversy, it referred to people like Anne Hutchinson arguing against the legalistic interpretation of scripture.

Q: How did the Antinomian Controversy end?

The Antinomian Controversy ended with Anne Hutchinson being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the magistrates maintaining their control and legalistic interpretation of scripture.

Q: Why is the Antinomian Controversy important?

The Antinomian Controversy is important because it would later inspire the Founding Fathers to stipulate the Separation of Church and State in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Joshua J. Mark

Antinomian Controversy

Inspiring the Separation of Church and State in the USA

Definition

The Antinomian Controversy (1636-1638) was a religious-political conflict that divided the Massachusetts Bay Colony of New England in the 17th century. The disagreement, also known as the Free Grace Controversy, centered on the primacy of God's grace over good deeds, or the preeminence of a covenant of grace over a covenant of works.

More about: Antinomian Controversy

Timeline

1636 - 1638
The Antinomian Controversy disrupts the unity of Massachusetts Bay Colony.

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