Jansenism

American  

[jan-suh-niz-uhm] / ˈdʒæn səˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the doctrinal system of Cornelis Jansen and his followers, denying free will and maintaining that human nature is corrupt and that Christ died for the elect and not for all humanity.

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Jansenism British  

/ ˈdʒænsəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. RC Church the doctrine of the Cornelis Jansen and his disciples, who maintained that salvation was limited to those subject to a supernatural determinism, the rest being destined to perdition

2. the religious movement arising from these doctrines

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Other Word Forms

• Jansenist noun
• Jansenistic adjective
• Jansenistical adjective

Etymology

Origin of Jansenism

From the French word jansénisme, dating back to 1650–60. See Jansen, -ism

Example Sentences

Frank W. Cummiskey Columbia, Mo. A hundred years from now, seminarians will continue to study heretical teachings like Jansenism of the 1600s.

From Time Magazine Archive

The influence of Jansenism, fiercely moralistic and unforgiving, was still strong.

From Time Magazine Archive

When characters get between his sheets, they grapple not with each other but with the conundrums of Pascal or the doctrines of Jansenism; principle and passion clash in all-night discussions.

From Time Magazine Archive

In bedroom scenes, Rohmer, a conservative Catholic, has been known to have his characters passionately engaged in a discussion of Pascal and Jansenism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Arnauld’s preoccupation with the fact developed out of the great dispute over whether Jansenism, of which Arnauld was the leading light, was heretical.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton