An Attempt to Date
the word "Christian"
G.D.O'Bradovich III
December 22, 2013
Unlike my other papers to date entries of words into the English Language whose results are tempered by the uncertainties of the dim past, this is not an attempt, as such, since the word "Christian" dates, beyond doubt, from the 16th century and not earlier. As always, the Oxford English Dictionary has been consulted.
Part 1: Christian
Of persons and communities: Believing, professing, or belonging to the religion of Christ.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Kijv, Suche landes as were hetherto vnknowen to the Christian men.
Of things: Pertaining to Christ or his religion: of or belonging to Christianity.
1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. aai, The Christian fayth.
Of persons and their qualities or actions: Showing character and conduct consistent with discipleship to Christ; marked by genuine piety; following the precepts and example of Christ; Christ-like.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxii. 139 The waine and declination of Christian pietie.
Of or belonging to a Christian or Christians.
1600 Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 307 If thou doost shed one drop of Christian blood.
Christian name: the name given at christening; the personal name, as distinguished from the family name or surname. (Also allusively = ‘proper name’.) Hence to Christian-name v. trans. (nonce-wd.), to call by one's Christian name; Christian-named ppl. a., having a Christian name.
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 3rd Serm. sig. Gvv, Nowe a dayes they call theym gentle rewardes, let them leue theire colouringe, and call them by theyr christian name Brybes.
Christian era n. the era reckoned from the accepted date of the birth of Christ, and adopted in all Christian countries.
1657 G. Wharton Wks. (1683) 49 The Greek Church numbereth from the Creation to Christ's Æra, 5508 complete years..The year 1657, current of the Christian Æra.
One who believes or professes the religion of Christ; an adherent of Christianity.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Ai, Ye lyfe of euery christian, is as a pilgremage.
One who exhibits the spirit, and follows the precepts and example, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by genuine piety.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iv, in Wks. 257/2 Being faithful christiens.
The most surprising of the above list is the seeming late introduction of the "Christian Era", 1657, that today we know the Christian Era had been in existence for 1,600 years.
Of persons and communities: Believing, professing, or belonging to the religion of Christ.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Kijv, Suche landes as were hetherto vnknowen to the Christian men.
Of things: Pertaining to Christ or his religion: of or belonging to Christianity.
1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. aai, The Christian fayth.
Of persons and their qualities or actions: Showing character and conduct consistent with discipleship to Christ; marked by genuine piety; following the precepts and example of Christ; Christ-like.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxii. 139 The waine and declination of Christian pietie.
Of or belonging to a Christian or Christians.
1600 Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 307 If thou doost shed one drop of Christian blood.
Christian name: the name given at christening; the personal name, as distinguished from the family name or surname. (Also allusively = ‘proper name’.) Hence to Christian-name v. trans. (nonce-wd.), to call by one's Christian name; Christian-named ppl. a., having a Christian name.
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 3rd Serm. sig. Gvv, Nowe a dayes they call theym gentle rewardes, let them leue theire colouringe, and call them by theyr christian name Brybes.
Christian era n. the era reckoned from the accepted date of the birth of Christ, and adopted in all Christian countries.
1657 G. Wharton Wks. (1683) 49 The Greek Church numbereth from the Creation to Christ's Æra, 5508 complete years..The year 1657, current of the Christian Æra.
One who believes or professes the religion of Christ; an adherent of Christianity.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Ai, Ye lyfe of euery christian, is as a pilgremage.
One who exhibits the spirit, and follows the precepts and example, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by genuine piety.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iv, in Wks. 257/2 Being faithful christiens.
The most surprising of the above list is the seeming late introduction of the "Christian Era", 1657, that today we know the Christian Era had been in existence for 1,600 years.
Part 2: Christianity
The whole body of Christians, the Christian part of the world, Christendom n. Obs.
α. cristiente, etc.
a1300 Cursor H. 2126 Rome.. þat now es ouer all cristiante.
β. cristentie, etc.
c1320 Sir Beues 2690 Schel hit neuer aslawe be For noman in cristente.
γ. Christianity (cristianite, etc.).
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (MS. c 1375) 11237 Seynt Iame stable[de] hyt for to be A sacrament þurge crystyanyte [altered from Crystiente].
The religion of Christ; the Christian faith; the system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ and his apostles.
β.
1481 Myrrour of Worlde (Caxton) i. vi. 32 Yf ne were theyre..good prechynge and techyng, Cristente shold be exyled by errour.
γ.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (MS. c 1375) 11706 Yn þe begynnyng of crystyanyte [altered from crystyente] Þe apostoles wente aboute to preche.
a. State or fact of being a Christian; Christian condition or quality; Christian spirit or character.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (MS. c 1375) 232 Men clepyn hym god of cristianite; For ȝyf he wyl hym mercy craue, Redyly mercy shal he haue.
Conclusion:
The above lists demonstrate the early influence (pre 1500) of the Greek Language on the English spelling of Christianity, that is, no "h" is present. After the year 1500, the late influence of the Latin spelling of "Christ" is also shown.
The whole body of Christians, the Christian part of the world, Christendom n. Obs.
α. cristiente, etc.
a1300 Cursor H. 2126 Rome.. þat now es ouer all cristiante.
β. cristentie, etc.
c1320 Sir Beues 2690 Schel hit neuer aslawe be For noman in cristente.
γ. Christianity (cristianite, etc.).
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (MS. c 1375) 11237 Seynt Iame stable[de] hyt for to be A sacrament þurge crystyanyte [altered from Crystiente].
The religion of Christ; the Christian faith; the system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ and his apostles.
β.
1481 Myrrour of Worlde (Caxton) i. vi. 32 Yf ne were theyre..good prechynge and techyng, Cristente shold be exyled by errour.
γ.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (MS. c 1375) 11706 Yn þe begynnyng of crystyanyte [altered from crystyente] Þe apostoles wente aboute to preche.
a. State or fact of being a Christian; Christian condition or quality; Christian spirit or character.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (MS. c 1375) 232 Men clepyn hym god of cristianite; For ȝyf he wyl hym mercy craue, Redyly mercy shal he haue.
Conclusion:
The above lists demonstrate the early influence (pre 1500) of the Greek Language on the English spelling of Christianity, that is, no "h" is present. After the year 1500, the late influence of the Latin spelling of "Christ" is also shown.
We have no doubt that Christ and Christian worship predate the 16th century. It is only with the age of printing and Martin Luther's Bible, that the adjective and noun "Christian" enters the English Language.
Jesus Christ Conquers