Antinomianism, which means "against the law," was a centuries-old heresy whose basic tenet held that Christians were not bound by traditional moral law, particularly that of the Old Testament. Instead, man could be guided by an inner light that would reveal the proper forms of conduct. Anne Hutchinson was accused of advancing this viewpoint in the early years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her views were regarded as a direct threat to the political and clerical leaders of the community.