buchmanism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / HistoricalFormal / Historical / Religious Studies
Quick answer
What does “buchmanism” mean?
The principles and practices of the Oxford Group religious movement, founded by Frank N. D.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The principles and practices of the Oxford Group religious movement, founded by Frank N. D. Buchman, emphasizing personal spiritual change and public confession of sins.
A form of Christian evangelism and moral rearmament that was prominent in the early to mid-20th century, focusing on absolute moral standards (honesty, purity, unselfishness, love) and small-group sharing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. The movement had international reach, but its historical prominence was slightly higher in the UK due to its Oxford origins.
Connotations
Historical, somewhat dated. Can carry connotations of an upper-class, emotionally intense religious revivalism. May be viewed critically in some academic contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British texts discussing 20th-century religious history.
Grammar
How to Use “buchmanism” in a Sentence
[Subject] practised Buchmanism.[Subject] was influenced by Buchmanism.The tenets of Buchmanism [verb]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “buchmanism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was thoroughly Buchmanised after attending the weekend house party.
- They sought to Buchmanise the industrial elite.
American English
- Several students were Buchmanized during the campus mission.
- The movement aimed to Buchmanize society through personal change.
adverb
British English
- They evangelised Buchmanistically, focusing on life-changing decisions.
American English
- He spoke Buchmanistically about the need for moral rearmament.
adjective
British English
- His Buchmanite zeal was evident in his frequent testimonies.
- The Buchmanist approach emphasised quiet time and sharing.
American English
- She held Buchmanite beliefs about absolute honesty.
- The Buchmanist group met weekly for fellowship.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, or sociological papers discussing 20th-century religious movements.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific term within the field of religious studies or history of religions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “buchmanism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “buchmanism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “buchmanism”
- Misspelling as 'Buckmanism'.
- Confusing it with later movements like the 'Jesus Movement'.
- Using it as a general term for any evangelism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as a distinct movement, it is largely historical. Its later incarnation, Moral Re-Armament (MRA), exists in a much-diminished form, often under the name Initiatives of Change.
It was the new name adopted by the Oxford Group/Buchmanite movement in the late 1930s, shifting focus towards applying its principles of absolute morality to solve national and international political conflicts.
Yes. It was criticized by some mainstream churches for its emphasis on emotional sharing and public confession. Later, its political activities and alleged sympathies with fascist regimes in the 1930s drew significant controversy.
The core moral standards were: Absolute Honesty, Absolute Purity, Absolute Unselfishness, and Absolute Love.
The principles and practices of the Oxford Group religious movement, founded by Frank N. D.
Buchmanism is usually formal / historical / religious studies in register.
Buchmanism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkmənɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkməˌnɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BOOK-man-ism' – a movement started by a man (Buchman) whose ideas were like a new 'book' or set of rules for living.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUALITY IS A CAMPAIGN (e.g., 'Moral Re-Armament').
Practice
Quiz
What was a core practice associated with Buchmanism?