messianism
Belief in deliverers
Messianism is belief in or expectation of a messiah—a divinely appointed deliverer who will rescue a people or transform the world.
The term extends beyond religious contexts to describe faith in any figure or movement promising radical salvation: The politician's supporters displayed a fervent messianism.
Messianic movements often arise during periods of crisis or oppression, offering hope of dramatic change.
The word can carry skeptical undertones, suggesting naive or excessive faith in a savior figure.
Foretelling of future events
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
- foretellingAnnouncing future events
harbinger · omen · augury · seer · divination · fulfillment · scripture · Isaiah
Release from constraint
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- rescueSave from harm
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
- freedomAbsence of constraint
redemption · release · extrication · relief · escape · unshackling · restoration · transformation
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- eschatologyStudy of ultimate destiny
- millennialismBelief in prophesied utopia
- apocalypticismBelief in catastrophic ending
- ZionismAdvocacy for Hebrew homeland
providence · covenant · election · predestination · theocracy · anointing · Torah · Talmud
Belief about future outcomes
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- promiseCommitment to act
- longingIntense, persistent desire
faith · awaiting · aspiration · fervor · devotion · belief · vision · deliverance
Seeking fundamental systemic change
- liberatorOne who frees others
- nationalistOne prioritizing homeland interests
- ZionistJewish state proponent
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
ideologue · cult of personality · authoritarianism · populism · savior complex · charisma · movement · followers
prophecy
Foretelling of future events
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
foretelling · harbinger · omen · augury · seer · divination · fulfillment · scripture · Isaiah · Elijah
liberation
Release from constraint
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- rescueSave from harm
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
freedom · redemption · release · extrication · relief · escape · unshackling · restoration · transformation · renewal
dogma
Unchallengeable official beliefs
- eschatologyStudy of ultimate destiny
- millennialismBelief in prophesied utopia
- apocalypticismBelief in catastrophic ending
Zionism · providence · covenant · election · predestination · theocracy · anointing · Torah · Talmud
expectation
Belief about future outcomes
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- promiseCommitment to act
longing · faith · awaiting · aspiration · fervor · devotion · belief · vision · deliverance · futurity
revolutionary
Seeking fundamental systemic change
- liberatorOne who frees others
- nationalistOne prioritizing homeland interests
- ZionistJewish state proponent
utopian · ideologue · cult of personality · authoritarianism · populism · savior complex · charisma · movement · followers · disciples
messianismgradualism
Philosophy of incremental change
incrementalism · pragmatism · reformism · evolutionism · moderation
messianismpragmatism
Practical problem-solving philosophy
realism · disenchantment · skepticism · cynicism · fatalism
messianismself-reliance
Depending on oneself alone
humanism · secular humanism · individualism · collective action · atheism
- messianic figureProphesied savior of people
- messianic hopeFaith in coming savior