What is "infralapsarian"

Infralapsarian \In`fra*lap*sa"ri*an\, a. (Theol.) Of or pertaining to the Infralapsarians, or to their doctrine.

Infralapsarian \In`fra*lap*sa"ri*an\, n. [Infra + lapse: cf. F. infralapsaire. See Lapse.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of that class of Calvinists who consider the decree of election as contemplating the apostasy as past and the elect as being at the time of election in a fallen and guilty state; -- opposed to Supralapsarian. The former considered the election of grace as a remedy for an existing evil; the latter regarded the fall as a part of God's original purpose in regard to men.

1731, from infra- + Latin lapsus "a fall" (see lapse (n.)) + ending from unitarian, etc. In reference to the Calvinist doctrine that god's election of some to everlasting life was consequent to his decree to allow the Fall of man, and was thus a remedial measure. Contrasted to supralapsarian, in reference to the belief that He always meant to consign most of mankind to eternal fire and that the decision to create some men to be damned was his first decree. There's also a moderate sublapsarian view. Here the decree to elect those who would believe and leave those who do not believe to damnation also comes after the decree to allow the fall, but the decree to provide salvation for man comes immediately after the decree to elect.

n. (context Christianity English) A Calvinist who holds that election is a logical consequent of the Fall of man in the original divine plan.