brownist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Brownists were a subset of Puritans. While all Brownists were Puritan in their desire to 'purify' the church, they were distinctive as 'Separatists' who believed in forming churches completely independent of the Church of England, a step further than most Puritans initially advocated.

Not under that name. The theological and ecclesiastical principles of the Brownists (congregational autonomy) were carried forward by the Independent and later Congregationalist traditions. Modern Congregational, United Church of Christ, and some Baptist churches are their indirect descendants.

It is a historical label for a specific group within a narrow timeframe. The movement's ideas were absorbed into broader denominational categories like 'Separatist' and 'Congregationalist,' making the founder-specific term largely obsolete after the 17th century.

Both were English Separatist groups in the same period. Brownists followed Robert Browne, who initially advocated separation but later reconciled with the established church. Barrowists followed Henry Barrowe and were more consistently separatist and suffered severe persecution. The terms were often used interchangeably by their opponents.

An early adherent of the principles of church reform advocated by Robert Browne, an English Separatist in the late 16th century.

Brownist is usually historical/academic/religious studies in register.

Brownist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbraʊnɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbraʊnɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.