ERASTIANISM Meaning and
Definition
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Erastianism is a term referring to a specific religious and political ideology that emerged during the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe. The term originates from the name of an influential Swiss physician and theologian, Thomas Erastus.
Erastianism is characterized by the belief in the supremacy of the civil government over the church in matters of doctrine and discipline. It advocates for the subordination of the church to the state, emphasizing the ultimate authority and control of secular rulers in religious affairs. This ideology asserts that the state has the power to regulate religious practices, appoint clergy, and dictate the principles of religious belief and worship.
A key aspect of Erastianism is the rejection of any kind of ecclesiastical independence from the state. It opposes the idea of an autonomous church with its own authority and governance structure. Instead, it promotes the notion that the church should be subject to the control and supervision of the state, ensuring conformity to state-established doctrines and orthodoxy.
Erastianism has been historically linked to movements such as Anglicanism in England, where the monarch was deemed the head of the church. This ideology has often been met with resistance from religious groups advocating for a separation of church and state, seeking to preserve the independence and autonomy of the church in its own affairs.
Overall, Erastianism stands as an ideology that advocates for the supremacy of the state over the church, promoting the control and regulation of religious practices by the civil government.
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The principles of the Erastians.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ERASTIANISM
- wrastianism
- srastianism
- drastianism
- rrastianism
- 4rastianism
- 3rastianism
- eeastianism
- edastianism
- efastianism
- etastianism
- e5astianism
- e4astianism
- erzstianism
- ersstianism
- erwstianism
- erqstianism
- eraatianism
- eraztianism
- eraxtianism
Etymology of ERASTIANISM
The word "Erastianism" is derived from the name of its originator, Thomas Erastus (or Thomas Lieber from Lichtenfels), a Swiss physician and theologian who lived in the 16th century. Erastus, born in 1524, was primarily known for his ideas on church-state relations, which eventually led to the development of the concept known as Erastianism.
Erastianism refers to the doctrine or principle that the state has authority over the church in matters of external order, government, and discipline. Under this concept, the state possesses the power to regulate and control religious affairs, including the appointment of clergy, the establishment of religious doctrine, and the oversight of church practices.
Although Erastus himself did not use the term "Erastianism" to describe his ideas, it emerged later as a convenient label for this particular perspective.
Similar spelling words for ERASTIANISM
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