Predestinarian: meaning, definitions and examples

⛪️
Add to dictionary

predestinarian

 

[prɪˌdɛstɪˈnɛərɪən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious doctrine

One who believes in or advocates predestination, especially in a theological sense.

Synonyms

determinist, fatalist, predestinationist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
predestinarian

Use in religious or theological discussions to describe someone who believes that all events are predetermined by God.

  • As a predestinarian, she believes that her future is already written by divine will.
  • In the context of predestinarian beliefs, free will is often seen as an illusion.
predestinationist

Can be used interchangeably with 'predestinarian' in religious discussions about the belief that all events are willed by God.

  • She subscribes to a predestinationist philosophy, believing that her path is set by divine intervention.
  • In his predestinationist view, human actions are not truly free but are instead guided by a higher power.
fatalist

Typically used in everyday language or casual conversation to describe a person who believes all events are fixed and inevitable, often with a connotation of resignation or passivity.

  • She has a fatalist attitude, thinking nothing can change her destiny.
  • He felt like a fatalist, convinced that his efforts wouldn't alter the outcome.
determinist

Applicable in philosophical or scientific contexts to describe a person who believes every event or state of affairs is determined by preceding events according to natural laws.

  • A determinist argues that our behaviors and decisions are the result of prior states and conditions.
  • The determinist perspective often clashes with the idea of free will.

Examples of usage

  • John was a predestinarian who believed that our fates were predetermined.
  • The predestinarian sect emphasized the idea that God has already decided who will be saved.
Context #2 | Adjective

religious belief

Relating to or characteristic of predestinarians or their beliefs.

Synonyms

predestined, predetermined.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
predestinarian

This term is often used in theological or philosophical discussions. It refers to someone who believes in the doctrine of predestination, which is the idea that all events are willed by God and that human beings have no free will.

  • As a predestinarian, he often debated the inevitability of fate with his friends.
  • The preacher's predestinarian views influenced his entire congregation.

Examples of usage

  • The predestinarian view of salvation is a key aspect of Calvinist theology.
  • She held predestinarian beliefs that influenced her views on free will.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'praedestinare,' meaning 'to determine beforehand.'
  • Predestinarian views gained prominence during the Reformation in the 16th century, especially among Protestant theologians.
  • The concept conflicts with the idea of free will, leading to significant theological debates.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers such as Augustine and John Calvin significantly contributed to predestinarian ideas, impacting Western thought.
  • The dilemma of free will versus predestination continues to be a central topic in philosophy, raising questions about moral responsibility.
  • Existentialists typically reject predestinarian views, promoting the idea that individuals create their own meaning and choices.

Literature

  • The conflict between destiny and free will is a common theme in many literary works, reflecting human struggles.
  • Notable works such as Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' explore the tension between fate and personal choice, resonating with ideas of predestination.
  • In literature, characters often wrestle with the concept of their paths being foreordained, deepening the reader’s engagement.

Modern Culture

  • In contemporary discussions, predestination is often debated in relation to modern psychology, particularly regarding a person’s life choices.
  • Media representations sometimes trivialize the complex idea of predestination, focusing on fate being out of one’s control.
  • Films and books often depict predestinarian themes, where characters discover they were meant to follow a specific path, adding drama to the narrative.

Religion

  • Many religious traditions and texts, including certain interpretations within Christianity, explore the concept of divine predestination.
  • Predestination affects beliefs about salvation, emphasizing God's sovereignty in deciding one's eternal fate.
  • The topic has led to the formation of various denominations that interpret biblical texts differing on the issue of free will versus destined paths.

Translations

Translations of the word "predestinarian" in other languages:

🇵🇹 predestinacionista

🇮🇳 पूर्वनिर्धारणवादी

🇩🇪 Prädestinatianer

🇮🇩 predestinarian

🇺🇦 предестинаріан

🇵🇱 predestynarianin

🇯🇵 予定説信奉者 (yoteisetsu shinpōsha)

🇫🇷 prédestinarian

🇪🇸 predestinacionista

🇹🇷 kaderci

🇰🇷 예정론자 (yejeongnonja)

🇸🇦 القادرية (al-qadariyah)

🇨🇿 predestinarián

🇸🇰 predestinarián

🇨🇳 预定论者 (yùdìng lùnzhě)

🇸🇮 predestinacianist

🇮🇸 forhugsjónarmaður

🇰🇿 таңдаушы

🇬🇪 წინასწარ განწირული (ts'inascar gants'iruli)

🇦🇿 qədərçi

🇲🇽 predestinacionista