non-adiaphorist
|non-adi-a-phor-ist|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˌeɪdiəˈfɔɹɪst/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˌeɪdiəˈfɔːrɪst/
opposes the idea of 'indifferent' practices
Etymology
'non-adiaphorist' is formed in modern English by adding the negative prefix 'non-' to 'adiaphorist' (a person characterized by 'adiaphora'). 'adiaphora' comes from Greek 'adiaphora', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'diaphora' meant 'difference' or 'things different/various'.
'adiaphora' originated in ancient Greek and entered theological and philosophical Latin and later English usage to mean 'things indifferent'. From this developed the agent noun 'adiaphorist' (a proponent of adiaphora) in post-Reformation theological debates, and more recently the negated formation 'non-adiaphorist' arose by adding the English prefix 'non-' to denote opposition.
Initially, 'adiaphora' meant 'things that are indifferent or not distinctive' in Greek; in theological usage it came to denote practices considered morally indifferent. Over time, 'adiaphorist' described those endorsing that indifference, and 'non-adiaphorist' evolved to mean those who deny such indifference and treat certain practices as morally significant.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who rejects the idea of adiaphora — i.e., who maintains that certain practices or rites are not morally indifferent and must be affirmed or condemned.
The council counted several non-adiaphorist voices arguing that the disputed ritual could not be treated as morally indifferent.
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Adjective 1
rejecting or opposed to the view that certain practices are morally indifferent; treating particular rites or actions as morally significant.
Her non-adiaphorist stance made negotiations over liturgical practice more contentious.
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Last updated: 2025/10/14 06:39