Erastianism

Erastianism the title generally given to "that system 'which would rest the government of the Church spiritual as well as civil altogether in the Christian magistrate.' This, however, 'was far from being an invention of Erastus, since in every kingdom of Europe the Roman claims had been resisted on thee like principles for centuries before he was born; the peculiarity of Erastus's teaching lay rather in his refusing the right of excommunication to the Christian Church' (see Oxf. Hooker, Ed. Pref. page 58)" (Eden, Churchman's Dictionary, s.v.). Hardwick propeses; "Byzantinism" as the proper title for the theory named instead of "Erastianism" (History of the Reformation, chapter 8, page 356). See also Nichols, Anecdotes of Bowyer (London, 1782, 4to), page 71; Pretyman, The Church of England and Erastianisna (Lond. 1854);: Hagenbach, History of Doctrines (Smith's ed.), 2:299; Cunningham, Historical Theology, 2:569; Orme, Life and Times of Baxter, 1:71; Christian Review, 8:579; and the articles SEE

CHURCH; SEE DISCIPLINE; SEE ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY; SEE ERASTUS, THOMAS.