Enthusiasm
“Divine inspiration, God-possession (from 'en' in + 'theos' god)”
Summary
An intense moral and spiritual fervor; etymologically meaning 'God-possessed,' it can refer either to genuine divine inspiration or to misguided religious excitement.
☩Meaning
The word 'enthusiasm' derives from the Greek 'entheos' meaning 'God-possessed' or 'inspired.' In its best sense, it signifies the noble ardor of mind produced by divine influence—the raptures of the poet, the heroism of the martyr, the devotedness of the patriot. The phrase 'Holy Spirit' in the New Testament represents this concept of divine enthusiasm. Jesus Himself was marked by intense enthusiasm for His calling, and He required and inspired the same in His disciples.
☩True and False
True religious enthusiasm springs from love for Christ and love for humanity; it is fervor grounded in truth and expressed in right action. False enthusiasm (sometimes called fanaticism) is fervor based on wrong principles, founded on wrong judgments, and applied to wrong ends. The Reformers, early Methodists, and missionaries exemplify godly enthusiasm, while history also records enthusiasm misdirected into destructive zealotry.
Related Verses1 mention
2 Kings· 1 verse
References
- 1.Unknown source, "Enthusiasm."
- 2.Unknown source, "Enthusiasm."