[f. as prec. + -ISM.] A system or theory of creation: spec. a. The theory that God immediately creates a soul for every human being born (opposed to traducianism); b. The theory that attributes the origin of matter, the different species of animals and plants, etc., to ‘special creation’ (opposed to evolutionism).
1847. Buch, trans. Hagenbach’s Hist. Doctr., II. 1. The theory designated Creationism [printed Creatianism] … was now more precisely defined.
1872. Liddon, Elem. Relig., iii. 102. The other and more generally received doctrine is known as Creationism. Each soul is an immediate work of the Creator.
1880. Gray, Nat. Sc. & Relig., 89. The true issue as regards design is not between Darwinism and direct Creationism.
