Infralapsarianism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A theological doctrine positing that God's plan for redemption follows the fall of humanity by allowing sin before granting salvation
2. A belief system suggesting that divine election occurs after the original sin, emphasizing a sequence in God's decrees concerning humanity
3. An interpretation of predestination that asserts God's will to save the elect is contingent upon humanity's transgression and subsequent need for grace

Etymology: This term originates in the realm of Christian theological debate, specifically concerning the order of God's decrees in relation to the Fall of Man. It first appeared in the 17th century during the intense doctrinal disputes among Reformed theologians, who sought precise language to describe complex ideas about predestination and divine foreknowledge. The term is a compound of Latin roots, crafted to express a nuanced position within Calvinist thought. The word breaks down into three parts: "infra-", meaning "below" or "after," "lapsus," meaning "fall" (referring to the Fall of Adam and Eve), and "-arianism," a suffix denoting a system of belief or doctrine. Combined, the term literally means a doctrine that places certain divine decrees "after the fall." This contrasts with other theological positions like supralapsarianism, which argues that God's decrees occurred "before the fall," and sublapsarianism, which occupies a middle ground. The theological controversy centers on the sequence in which God predestined who would be saved and who would be condemned, relative to the Fall. Infralapsarianism holds that God's decree to permit the Fall precedes His decree to elect some individuals to salvation, thereby situating election as a response to the fallen state of humanity rather than as an initial cause. This subtle ordering was a focal point in Reformed scholasticism and has influenced various confessional statements and doctrinal formulations. The term itself is a product of scholarly Latinization, typical of theological discourse in the post-Reformation era, when Latin remained the lingua franca of academic theology. Its first appearances are found in theological treatises and debates penned in the 1600s, reflecting the period’s penchant for precise, technical vocabulary to navigate intricate doctrinal distinctions. The word remains specialized, primarily encountered in historical and theological studies rather than everyday language.

Synonyms: doctrine of divine predestination

Antonyms: supralapsarianism