Godly lives : asceticism and anthropology, with special reference to sexuality in the writings of St. Irenaeus of Lyons and St. Clement of Alexandria
This thesis aims to restore the balance of modern investigations into Christian asceticism and anthropology by reading the texts of Sts. Irenaeus and Clement within their theological perspectives, and thereby examine the presuppositions determining how we think about sexual difference. In the Introduction I examine the projects of M. Foucault and P. Brown, arguing that they do not remain faithful to the concerns of the texts which they treat. In Part One, I show how asceticism, for Irenaeus, is the expression of the human living the life of God in the body, that which is most characteristically human and the image of God. Sexuality is fundamental to human existence, forming a permanent part of the framework within which humans grow towards God. This growth results from humans acting responsively to the creative activity of God. That God is the source of the life which is lived by humans, demands an openness on their part towards God. Any attempt to avoid the reality of their created nature, for instance, through a self-imposed continence, overturns the basic structure of this relationship. In Part Two, I consider the asceticism proposed by Clement, which strives, through human effort, to achieve a godlike
Behr, John
Asceticism ; History ; Christian ethics ; Sex ; Religious aspects ; Christianity ; History of doctrines ; Sexual ethics ; Early church, ca. 30-600
Godly lives : asceticism and anthropology, with special reference to sexuality in the writings of St. Irenaeus of Lyons and St. Clement of Alexandria. This thesis aims to restore the balance of modern investigations into Christian asceticism and anthropology by reading the texts of Sts. Irenaeus and Clement within their theological perspectives, and thereby examine the presuppositions determining how we think about sexual difference. In the Introduction I examine the projects of M. Foucault and P. Brown, arguing that they do not remain faithful to the concerns of the texts which they treat. In Part One, I show how asceticism, for Irenaeus, is the expression of the human living the life of God in the body, that which is most characteristically human and the image of God. Sexuality is fundamental to human existence, forming a permanent part of the framework within which humans grow towards God. This growth results from humans acting responsively to the creative activity of God. That God is the source of the life which is lived by humans, demands an openness on their part towards God. Any attempt to avoid the reality of their created nature, for instance, through a self-imposed continence, overturns the basic structure of this relationship. In Part Two, I consider the asceticism proposed by Clement, which strives, through human effort, to achieve a godlike
godly live asceticism anthropology special_reference sexuality writing clement alexandria aim restore balance modern investigation christian asceticism anthropology read texts sts clement within theological_perspective thereby examine presupposition determine think sexual_difference introduction examine project foucault brown argue remain faithful concern texts treat part_one show asceticism expression human live life god body characteristically human image_god sexuality fundamental_human existence form permanent part framework_within human grow towards god growth human act creative activity god god source life live human demand openness part towards god attempt avoid reality create nature instance self imposed overturn basic_structure relationship part_two consider asceticism propose clement strive human effort achieve