Erastianism

American  

[ih-ras-chuh-niz-uhm, -tee-uh-niz-] / ɪˈræs tʃəˌnɪz əm, -ti əˌnɪz- /

noun

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

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Erastianism British  

/ ɪˈræstɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• Erastian
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Erastianism

First recorded in 1675–85; Erastian + -ism

Example Sentences

But whether the state might try to dominate religion itself — known in early political theory as Erastianism — was an important concern for Jefferson and Madison.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2012

But the charge of Erastianism – the idea that the church is a wholly owned subsidiary of the state – remains the ultimate theological dirty word.

From The Guardian • Feb. 15, 2011

The opponents of Erastianism had a deep sense of their corporate Church, and it was a plea for ecclesiastical freedom that they were making.

From Political Thought in England from Locke to Bentham by Laski, Harold Joseph

To this powerful production Coleman attempted no reply; nor have its arguments ever been answered by any subsequent advocate of Erastianism.

From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George

Moreover, this Erastianism, flowing from a spiritual supremacy exercised over the church, is peculiarly aggravated by these particulars: 1.

From Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive by Presbytery, The Reformed