LATITUDINARIAN • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Latitudinarian

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noun

Latitudinarian n.

1.

One who is moderate in his notions, or not restrained by precise settled limits in opinion; one who indulges freedom in thinking.

2.

(Eng. Eccl. Hist.) A member of the Church of England, in the time of Charles II., who adopted more liberal notions in respect to the authority, government, and doctrines of the church than generally prevailed. "They were called "men of latitude;" and upon this, men of narrow thoughts fastened upon them the name of latitudinarians."

3.

(Theol.) One who departs in opinion from the strict principles of orthodoxy.

adjective

Latitudinarian adj.

1.

Not restrained; not confined by precise limits.

2.

Indifferent to a strict application of any standard of belief or opinion; hence, deviating more or less widely from such standard; lax in doctrine; as, latitudinarian divines; latitudinarian theology. "Latitudinarian sentiments upon religious subjects."

3.

Lax in moral or religious principles.

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Etymology of 'Latitudinarian'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Latitudinarian" Quotes from Famous Books

... quoted on occasion. From Hooker to Van Mildert, there was an unbroken thread of common principles giving continuity to a line of Church teachers. The Puritan line of doctrine, though it could claim much sanction among the divines of the Reformation—the Latitudinarian idea, though it had the countenance of famous names and powerful intellects—never could aspire to the special title of Church theology. And the teaching which had that name, both in praise, and often in dispraise, as technical, ...

— The Oxford Movement - Twelve Years, 1833-1845 • R.W. Church

... "verily, grammar is useful; that our great ones indulged in the study thereof I also know; but what is to be done since the wicked and sinful have taken possession of it?" In the same manner does Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin inveigh against the followers of Mendelssohn, because of the latitudinarian habits of the Maskilim, who "despise the counsel of their betters, and go after the dictates of their hearts."[35] Both saw in Haskalah a deadly foe to their dearest ideals, a blight upon their most cherished hopes, and, like Elizabeta ...

— The Haskalah Movement in Russia • Jacob S. Raisin

... infers, that the only religion obligatory on mankind is the belief of one Supreme Being, the author of nature; and the necessity of good morals, in order to obtain his favor and protection. Such sentiments would be deemed latitudinarian, even in our time; and would not be advanced, without some ...

— The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part C. - From Henry VII. to Mary • David Hume

... form of Religious Liberalism, it has often been exemplified in our own country by those who, averse from definite articles of faith, and prone to latitudinarian license, have studiously set themselves to disparage the importance of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, and even to obliterate the distinction between the various forms of Religion, natural and revealed, by representing them all as so many ...

— Modern Atheism under its forms of Pantheism, Materialism, Secularism, Development, and Natural Laws • James Buchanan

... tell you: that sermon originated solely with the man himself. The bishop was no more a party to it than was the dean here. You all know how grieved I am to see a bishop in this diocese holding the latitudinarian ideas by which Dr Proudie has made himself conspicuous. You all know how greatly I should distrust the opinion of such a man. But in this matter I hold him to be blameless. I believe Dr Proudie has lived too long among gentlemen to be guilty, or to instigate another ...

— Barchester Towers • Anthony Trollope

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