What belief held that the elect were exempt from obeying the laws of man or God?

Antinomianism is the belief system that asserts that individuals who are among the "elect" are not bound by moral law or the commandments of God because their salvation is assured. This doctrine emerged during the Protestant Reformation, particularly gaining prominence through figures like Anne Hutchinson, who argued that faith alone, rather than adherence to laws, is sufficient for salvation.

In antinomian thought, the idea is that those who are chosen by God do not need to adhere to societal laws or divine commandments in the same way as others because their standing with God is already secure. This belief diverges sharply from traditional views within Christianity that emphasize the importance of moral and ethical behavior as manifestations of faith.

The other concepts mentioned, such as Reformed theology and Calvinism, while related to the doctrines of predestination and the nature of salvation, maintain that while humans cannot earn salvation, they still must live according to God’s laws. Deism, on the other hand, is a philosophical belief that rejects the idea of divine intervention in human affairs and does not traditionally involve doctrines related to predestination or election found in Antinomianism. Therefore, the unique stance of antinomianism is what makes it the correct answer in this context.