Early Christian Asceticism and Nineteenth-Century Polemics

Abstract This act explores how twain nineteenth-century writers who opposed the sternizing aspects of the Oxford Movement and papist worldwideity appealed to patristic writings. Anglican Isaac Taylor and Episcopalian Arthur Cleveland Coxe employed different palaveral strategies: Taylor attempted to shock unsuspecting Christians about the unbent pure tone of Tractarian devotion to patristic Christianity, while Coxe, conversely, sought to explain excursus the asceticism promoted by the Fathers and align early Christianity with nineteenth-century domesticity. Coxe, American editor program in chief of the Ante-Nicene Fathers series, advanced his cause by adding anti-Catholic footnotes and elucidations to the Fathers writings. universe: Early Christian austerity and Ninetenth-Century Protestantism Nineteenth-century Protestant scholars and divines faulted early Christian asceticism as turnabout to Gods plan for humanity and to goodish Biblical interpretatio n. Renewing the Protestant Reformers attack on the ascetic body, they lauded domesticity, nineteenth-century style, as a supremely [End Page 281] Christian virtue.1 Asceticism in the patristic era, they charged, manifested Christianitys decline from an apostolic purity,2 while its revitalization in Catholicizing currents of their own day called for a new assault. This essay explores two nineteenth-century instances (one in England, one in America) of the eruption of anti-ascetic, pro-familial rhetoric against equalise perceived threats: the Oxford Movement and Roman Catholicism.

Asceticism, nineteenth-century Pro testants charged, exhibited a afraid and se! lfish spirit, exhorting Christians to flee the world rather than to puddle for its improvement.3 supporting(a) works-righteousness, asceticism opposed the doctrine of confession by saving grace and faith alone, and the essential inwardness of Christian spirituality. It fostered an elitism that distinguished Christians on the basis of degrees of renunciation, contrary to Protestant notions of universal human sinfulness. encouraging superstition, it denigrated the role of women, home, and family. How thus to account for asceticisms rise, if it were so foreign to the true spirit of Christianity? Answers, often... If you exigency to get a full essay, outrank it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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