Erastianism

[ ih-ras-chuh-niz-uhm, -tee-uh-niz- ]

noun

1. the doctrine, advocated by Thomas Erastus, of the supremacy of the state over the church in ecclesiastical matters.

Erastianism

/ ɪˈræstɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the theory that the state should have authority over the church in ecclesiastical matters

Derived Forms

• Eˈrastian, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Erastianism¹

First recorded in 1675–85; Erastian + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of Erastianism¹

C17: named after Thomas Erastus (1524–83), Swiss theologian to whom such views were attributed