Adiaphora

Adiaphora (Gr.), things indifferent which men might or might not do without violation of the law of God. The name was specially applied during the Protestant controversy in Germany to certain customs in use in the ritual of the Romish Church, which were declared things indifferent—of which the use was an open question—by the Leipzig interim of 1548. The most important of these were episcopal jurisdiction, and the use in religious worship of pictures, candles, surplices, Latin hymns and vespers. These Melanchthon and his party were ready to accept for the sake of the harmony of the church, while more strenuous Lutherans saw in such conformity a renunciation of the faith.