archaeologism

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos) + λόγος (lógos, “word”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɑɹ.kiˈɑ.lə.d͡ʒɪzəm/

Noun

archaeologism (uncountable) uncountable

1. (theology) the use of ponderous, old-fashioned language.

   Antonym: neologism

   • 1934, New Blackfriars, page 857:

     Here is a liturgical revival which is within the potentialities of the humblest parish church or chapel and which is in no danger of degenerating into archaeologism, ritualism or aestheticism.

   • 1966, Catechetics: a theology of proclamation, page 73:

     Paraliturgies are especially helpful to show the student the style of liturgical procedure, and start situating him for initiation into deeper faith. This assists sacramental pedagogy to escape the accusation of archaeologism or "another class", and rather helps students experience involvement in the sacramental idea.

   • 1985, The Ratzinger Report, page 131:

     He also objects to something else, however, namely, "the romantic archaeologism of certain professors of liturgy who would throw out everything done after Gregory the Great as being an excrescence and a sign of decadence.