JOVINIANIST Meaning and
Definition
-
Jovinianist refers to an individual who adheres to the teachings and beliefs of Jovinian, a fourth-century Christian monk and theologian. The term "Jovinianist" derives from Jovinian's name, depicting those who follow his particular doctrines and viewpoints.
Jovinianism, as espoused by Jovinian, challenged certain prevailing practices and beliefs of the early Christian Church. Jovinianists rejected asceticism, emphasizing the importance of bodily pleasure and holding that all sins are of equal gravity. They opposed the notion of celibacy, advocating for marriage as an honorable state and equal to that of virginity. Jovinianist teachings diverged from the traditional notion of distinguishing between the superior spiritual merits of celibate individuals versus those in matrimony.
The term Jovinianist is often used in a historical context to refer to those who followed Jovinian's teachings and engaged in theological and doctrinal debates during the 4th and 5th centuries. This usage recognizes Jovinian as an influential figure in shaping early Christian thought and challenging established practices.
Today, the term Jovinianist is less commonly used and primarily appears in discussions on the history of Christian theology and doctrines. It serves as a descriptor for those who align with Jovinian's teachings and principles or for those who engage in scholarly exploration of his ideas and their impact on the development of Christian thought.
Common Misspellings for JOVINIANIST
- hovinianist
- novinianist
- movinianist
- kovinianist
- iovinianist
- uovinianist
- jivinianist
- jkvinianist
- jlvinianist
- jpvinianist
- j0vinianist
- j9vinianist
- jocinianist
- jobinianist
- joginianist
- jofinianist
- jovunianist
- jovjnianist
- jovknianist
Etymology of JOVINIANIST
The word "Jovinianist" is derived from the name "Jovinian" combined with the suffix "-ist".
Jovinian was an influential fourth-century Christian theologian who held controversial views regarding celibacy, fasting, and the superiority of virgins. He argued that all actions taken by the Church for spiritual excellence were greater in God's eyes if performed from a spirit of faith and love, regardless of the individual's outward state or practices.
The term "Jovinianist" was later coined to refer to those who followed or espoused Jovinian's teachings. The suffix "-ist" is commonly used to form nouns denoting a person who adheres to a particular doctrine, philosophy, or belief system, hence "Jovinianist" referring to a follower or supporter of Jovinian's ideas.
