📖 Biblical Definition
Scripture affirms the reality and importance of emotions — God Himself expresses wrath, joy, grief, and love. But the Bible never makes emotions the arbiter of truth. The heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). Biblical faith is grounded in the objective truth of God's Word, not in subjective emotional experience. When Elijah was emotionally devastated, God did not validate his feelings but corrected his perception with truth (1 Kings 19:10-18). The Bereans were commended not for feeling the truth but for examining the Scriptures to verify it (Acts 17:11). Emotions are a response to truth, not a substitute for it.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Not in Webster 1828. Related concepts appear under enthusiasm and sensibility.
expand to see more
The term "emotionalism" was not in Webster's 1828 dictionary. He would have addressed its substance under ENTHUSIASM ("a conceit of divine communication or an ungovernable passion") and SENSIBILITY ("susceptibility of impression"). Webster recognized the danger of unmoored passion masquerading as piety — a perennial temptation in revivalistic religion.
📖 Key Scripture
• Jeremiah 17:9 — "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
• Acts 17:11 — "These were more noble... in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily."
• Proverbs 28:26 — "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool."
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 — "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... they shall turn away their ears from the truth."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Emotionalism has replaced theology as the foundation of much modern worship and decision-making.
expand to see more
Modern Christianity is awash in emotionalism. Worship services are engineered to produce emotional highs through lighting, music, and atmosphere rather than the faithful exposition of Scripture. Spiritual maturity is measured by the intensity of feeling rather than the depth of knowledge and obedience. "God told me" has replaced "the Bible says" as the basis for decision-making. Outside the church, the broader culture operates on the same principle: "my truth" means "my feelings." But feelings are not a reliable guide — they change with hormones, sleep, circumstances, and spiritual attack. The Christian is called to walk by faith, not by feeling, and to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Usage
• "Emotionalism in worship produces converts who are addicted to experience rather than grounded in truth — and who fall away when the feelings fade."
• "Scripture does not forbid emotion; it forbids emotionalism — the elevation of feeling above the revealed Word of God."
• "The Bereans were the opposite of emotionalists: they felt the power of Paul's preaching but still checked it against Scripture."