Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity: Orthodox Spirituality from the Desert Fathers to the Byzantine Empire

Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity Orthodox is a groundbreaking work that explores the central role of the body in the spiritual practices and beliefs of early Christians.

The Garb of Being: Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity (Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought)

by Thomas Arentzen

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3773 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

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Drawing on a wide range of sources, including hagiographies, monastic rules, and theological treatises, the book argues that the body was not merely a vessel for the soul but an integral part of the Christian experience.

For early Christians, the body was a site of both sin and salvation. It was through the body that they experienced the effects of the Fall, but it was also through the body that they could achieve redemption.

The pursuit of holiness, therefore, involved not only the purification of the soul but also the transformation of the body.

This transformation was achieved through a variety of practices, including fasting, vigils, and physical labor. These practices were designed to discipline the body and bring it under the control of the spirit.

Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity Orthodox is a major contribution to the study of early Christianity. It offers a new perspective on the role of the body in Christian spirituality and provides a deeper understanding of the beliefs and practices of the early Church.

The Body in Early Christian Thought

The body has always been a central concern for Christians. The Bible teaches that God created the human body in his own image, and that the body is an integral part of the human person.

However, the body has also been seen as a source of sin and temptation. The early Church Fathers were particularly suspicious of the body, and they often urged Christians to mortify their flesh.

In recent years, there has been a growing appreciation for the role of the body in Christian spirituality. Scholars have begun to recognize that the body is not merely a vessel for the soul, but an integral part of the human experience.

This new perspective on the body has been influenced by a number of factors, including the rise of feminist theology, the renewed interest in Eastern Christian spirituality, and the growing awareness of the importance of embodiment in human development.

Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity Orthodox is a major contribution to this new understanding of the body. The book argues that the body was not merely a site of sin and temptation for early Christians, but also a source of holiness.

The book draws on a wide range of sources, including hagiographies, monastic rules, and theological treatises, to show how early Christians believed that the body could be transformed through the practice of asceticism.

Asceticism is a set of practices designed to discipline the body and bring it under the control of the spirit. These practices include fasting, vigils, and physical labor.

Early Christians believed that asceticism could help them to overcome the effects of the Fall and to achieve redemption.

The Desert Fathers and the Pursuit of Holiness

The Desert Fathers were a group of early Christian hermits who lived in the deserts of Egypt and Palestine. They were known for their extreme asceticism, and they were widely regarded as models of holiness.

The Desert Fathers believed that the body was a source of both sin and temptation. They taught that Christians should mortify their flesh in Free Download to achieve spiritual purity.

The Desert Fathers practiced a variety of ascetic practices, including fasting, vigils, and physical labor. They also lived in extreme poverty and isolation.

The Desert Fathers believed that these practices helped them to overcome the effects of the Fall and to achieve redemption.

The Byzantine Empire and the Pursuit of Holiness

The Byzantine Empire was a Christian empire that ruled over much of the Mediterranean world for over a thousand years. The Byzantines were known for their elaborate rituals and their emphasis on the importance of the body.

The Byzantines believed that the body was a temple of the Holy Spirit. They taught that Christians should care for their bodies and adorn them with beautiful clothing and jewelry.

The Byzantines also practiced a variety of ascetic practices, including fasting, vigils, and physical labor. However, they did not believe that asceticism was the only way to achieve holiness.

The Byzantines believed that holiness could also be achieved through the practice of good works, such as charity and hospitality.

Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity Orthodox is a major contribution to the study of early Christianity. The book offers a new perspective on the role of the body in Christian spirituality and provides a deeper understanding of the beliefs and practices of the early Church.

The Garb of Being: Embodiment and the Pursuit of Holiness in Late Ancient Christianity (Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Thought)

by Thomas Arentzen

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3773 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

FREE