What is a pronomian Christian? What is pronomianism?

The term pronomian means “pro-law,” from the Greek nomos meaning “law.” Pronomian Christians believe that the Law of Moses is binding on believers today, yet they differ on how strictly believers should observe it. Christians who hold this view stress that correctly understanding the law leads to ongoing obedience to it. In contrast, Christians who do not hold this view believe that Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, making it no longer required, though they still follow its moral teachings.

Pronomian Christianity is not a denomination, but a theology. It is a core feature of the Hebrew Roots and the Sacred Name movements. Some Messianic Jewish churches also encourage this view. Many pronomian Christians are critical of Protestant traditions, including most evangelical churches, for not obeying the law. For this reason, while pronomian believers can be members of a Protestant or evangelical church, most prefer to worship in a fellowship that encourages and celebrates obedience to the law.

In application, pronomian Christians observe the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening. They also eat a kosher diet and celebrate sacred festivals. They do not perform animal sacrifices, temple rituals, or punish people as the law requires.

Technically, the term pronomian refers to a way of reading the law and the theology and application that come from it. Followers believe the law is for all generations (Exodus 12:14, 31:16). They also find importance in Jesus’ words: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Their view argues that “fulfill” does not mean “end” and that the law remains binding on believers.

Sometimes theologians contrast pronomianism with antinomianism—a term that means “against the law.” Antinomianism believes that the law is not binding on Christians. However, when Christians accuse other believers of being antinomian, the charge often goes beyond the neglect of the law itself to the complete abandonment of its moral principles. As a result, people sometimes use the term as a slur, especially when accusing other believers of immorality.

Many Protestant Christians today do not identify as either pronomian or antinomian. This is because most do not believe the entire law is binding on believers, yet they do not reject it altogether. Generally, Protestants, including most evangelicals, embrace the moral aspects of the law but reject the ceremonial ones. For example, they affirm the Ten Commandments but do not offer animal sacrifices. Pronomian views hold that moral observance alone is not enough, while antinomian views hold that the law is not binding on believers at all.

Non-pronomian Christians believe that when Jesus said he came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17), he meant that it had reached its intended purpose in him. This view cites Romans 10:4: “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” It also references Hebrews 8:13: “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”

Pronomian Christians who believe the gospel do not argue that obeying the law saves sinners (Mark 1:15; John 3:16). Like other Protestants, they believe that God saves people by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. In this, they affirm Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” While they deny that obeying the law is necessary for salvation, they believe that following Jesus includes ongoing obedience to the law.