Biblicism

[ bib-luh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. literal interpretation of the Bible.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Biblicism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; Biblic(al) + -ism

Example Sentences

That is very important in this evangelical culture of biblicism: They want to interpret the Bible in plain language, and to be able to do that you have to adjust the language, to make it conform to exactly what you want to say.

From Salon

Yet Douglass was repelled by Brown’s fanaticism: morally clear-eyed on the subject of slavery, Brown was crazy on the subject of what to do about slavery, moved by bloodlusts and Biblicism and incapable of reasoning about means and ends.

From The New Yorker

There are four hallmarks of evangelicalism, according to the historian David Bebbington–Biblicism, a high view of Scriptural authority; crucicentrism, a focus on the sacrifice of Jesus; activism, living out this gospel message; and conversionism, transforming their own lives.

From Time

The results of this biblicism were not all salutary.

From Project Gutenberg

One can hardly deny that this Biblicism sometimes became an abuse of the Bible.

From Project Gutenberg