Predestinarianism
|pre-des-ti-nar-i-an-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌpriːdɛstɪˈnɛəriənɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/prɪˌdɛstɪˈneəriənɪz(ə)m/
doctrine of being determined beforehand
Etymology
'Predestinarianism' originates from Latin and English formation: from Late Latin 'praedestinare' ('prae-' meaning 'before' + 'destinare' meaning 'to determine') with the English suffix '-ism' forming a doctrine name.
'Predestinarianism' developed from Late Latin 'praedestinatio' and Medieval Latin forms into Middle English 'predestinate'/'predestination' and later into English formations such as 'predestinarian' + '-ism' to denote the doctrine or movement.
Initially related to the verb sense 'to determine beforehand,' the term evolved to denote specifically the religious doctrine that God preordains individuals' eternal destinies; over time it came to name both the doctrine and those who advocate it.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the theological doctrine that God has predetermined the eternal destiny (salvation or damnation) of each soul.
Predestinarianism asserts that election to salvation is determined by God's will before birth.
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Noun 2
adherence to or advocacy of the doctrine of predestination; the movement or position held by those who affirm predestination.
In the debate, several theologians criticized Predestinarianism as undermining moral responsibility.
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Last updated: 2025/10/19 14:36