Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to Donatism: Pertaining to the beliefs, practices, or historical context of the Donatist schism within early Christianity, which centered on the purity of the church and the status of clergy who had lapsed under persecution.

2. Noun:

   • An adherent of Donatism: A member of a Christian sect that originated in North Africa in the 4th century AD, following the teachings of Donatus Magnus. Donatists believed the church must be a society of saints and that sacraments administered by unworthy priests were invalid.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The council debated the donatist view on clerical validity.
  • Scholars study donatist writings to understand the early church schism.

• Noun:

  • The Donatist refused to accept the authority of the bishop.
  • Augustine of Hippo wrote extensively against the Donatists.

Advanced Usage

• The Donatist controversy: Refers to the major theological and ecclesiastical conflict between the Donatists and the mainstream Catholic church in North Africa.

  • The Donatist controversy shaped much of Augustine's ecclesiology.

• Donatist ecclesiology: The specific doctrine concerning the nature of the church held by Donatists.

  • Their Donatist ecclesiology emphasized rigorous purity over universal inclusion.

Variants and Related Words

• Donatism (n): The doctrine or movement itself.

  • Donatism was declared a heresy by the Catholic Church.

• Donatistic (adj): A less common variant synonym for the adjective 'donatist'.

  • The argument had a distinctly donatistic flavor.

Synonyms

• Schismatic (n): A general term for a member of a schismatic group. (Note: This is a broader term; 'Donatist' is specific.)
• Rigorist (n): One who advocates for strict adherence to principles, especially in moral or religious matters.

Related Phrases

• To hold a Donatist position: To advocate for the view that the efficacy of a sacrament depends on the moral character of the minister.
  • Few theologians today would hold a Donatist position.

Notes on Meaning

The term is primarily historical and theological. Its use is almost exclusively in contexts discussing early church history, heresy, schism, or ecclesiology. The adjective form is used to describe ideas, writings, or movements associated with this sect.

Adjective

1. of or relating to Donatism

Noun

1. an adherent of Donatism