Solifidian is a word that refers to a person who believes in salvation by faith alone. The spelling of the word is based on the Latin word "sola fide," which means "by faith alone." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /səˈlɪfɪdiən/. The stress is on the second syllable, and the first syllable is pronounced as "suh." The "i" in the second syllable is pronounced like the "i" in "lid," and the final syllable is pronounced as "ən."
Solifidian is a noun that refers to a person who believes in solifidianism, a term stemming from the Latin words solus, meaning "alone" or "only," and fides, meaning "faith." It primarily denotes someone who strongly upholds the doctrine of justification by faith alone, particularly in the context of Christian theology. Solifidians emphasize the notion that faith in Jesus Christ is the sole means of obtaining salvation, while downplaying the importance of good works or human effort.
This theological perspective originated in the Protestant Reformation during the sixteenth century, advocated notably by Martin Luther and other reformers. Solifidians assert that humans are justified, or declared righteous by God, solely on the basis of their trust in Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, rather than any merits earned through virtuous acts. They contend that faith alone grants access to divine forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life, making it the essential criterion for salvation.
Solifidians draw their beliefs from biblical passages like Romans 3:28, which states that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. They maintain that good works, while important for living a righteous life, do not contribute to salvation itself but are rather the fruits of genuine faith. The term "Solifidian" is thus used to describe those who ardently adhere to these doctrines and advocate for their prominence within Christian theology.
• Pert. to.
• One who holds that faith alone is necessary to justification.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "solifidian" originates from Late Latin "solifidianus", derived from "soli", meaning "alone" or "only", and "fides", meaning "faith" or "belief". In combination, "solifidian" refers to someone who relies solely on faith for their salvation or justification, particularly in the context of Protestant theology. The term emerged during the Protestant Reformation to describe those who opposed the idea that good works or personal merits can contribute to salvation, believing that faith alone is sufficient.