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The Asceticism of Isaac of Nineveh

✍ Scribed by Patrik Hagman

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
2010
Tongue
English
Leaves
298
Category
Library
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✦ Synopsis

The ascetic tracts of 7th century writer Isaac of Nineveh (Isaac the Syrian) provide a wealth of material to better understand early Christian asceticism. The study focuses on the role of the body in various ascetic techniques, such as fasting, vigils and prayer, and on the way the ascetic relates to the society. For Isaac, the ascetic is to function as something like an icon, an image that showed the world the reality of God's Kingdom already in this life, by clearly indicating the difference between God's ways and men's. The study reviews the scholarly discussion on asceticism and early monasticism of the last three decades, and then proceeds to analyse the texts of Isaac to reveal an emphasis on asceticism as a practice that is at the same time performative, transformative and bodily. This contrasts with the long‐established conception of asceticism as based on a negative view of the body. Isaac displays a profound understanding of the way body and soul are related, demonstrating how the body can be used to transform the personality of the ascetic, and to communicate the change to the world, without the use of words. By giving a thorough overview of Isaac's ascetic thinking, the study brings Isaac's fresh perspective to bear on an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of the Christian tradition, showing that asceticism is and important ecclesiological theme and that a theology of asceticism should be a political theology.

✦ Table of Contents

acprof-9780199593194-miscMatter-1
Title Pages
Patrik Hagman
Title Pages
(p.i) Oxford Early Christian Studies (p.iii) The Asceticism of Isaac of Nineveh
Title Pages
Title Pages
acprof-9780199593194-miscMatter-4
Dedication
Patrik Hagman
Dedication
acprof-9780199593194-miscMatter-5
(p.vii) Preface
Patrik Hagman
(p.vii) Preface
(p.vii) Preface
acprof-9780199593194-miscMatter-7
(p.x) Abbreviations
Patrik Hagman
(p.x) Abbreviations
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-1
Introduction
Patrik Hagman
Introduction
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Introduction
Introduction
(p.3) 1.1. Asceticism: Definitions and Theories
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
1.2. Other Approaches to the Study of Asceticism
Introduction
Introduction
1.3. The Approach of this Study
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Notes:
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-2
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Patrik Hagman
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
2.1. The Tradition
(p.28) The East Syrian Church
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
(p.31) Theodore of Mopsuestia
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Evagrios of Pontos
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
John of Apamea
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
The Desert Fathers
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Others
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
(p.39) 2.2. A Sketch of Isaac's Theology
God as Love
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
God as Providence
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
(p.44) God as Pedagogue
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
(p.46) Christ
The Devil and the Demons
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Conclusion: God as the Source of All Things
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Notes:
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
Isaac of Nineveh: Background and Context
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-3
The Concept of the Body
Patrik Hagman
The Concept of the Body
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
3.1. The Varieties of Body‐Talk: Theodore, Evagrios, and John
Theodore of Mopsuestia: Body and Soul in Tension
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
Evagrios: Nous Against Body and Soul
The Concept of the Body
John of Apamea: Body and Soul Reflecting God's Glory
The Concept of the Body
3.2. The Body in Prayer
The Concept of the Body
Prostrations
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
Sitting Down and Other Bodily Acts of Worship
The Concept of the Body
The Gift of Tears
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
(p.73) Conclusions
The Concept of the Body
3.3. The Passions
The Concept of the Body
The Causes of the Passions
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Passions and the World
(p.82) Passions of the Body and Passions of the Soul
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Passions and Apatheia
The Concept of the Body
(p.88) 3.4. Conclusions: The Body as Symbol
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
Notes:
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
The Concept of the Body
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-4
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Patrik Hagman
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
4.1. The World as Distraction
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
4.2. The World as Human Relationships
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
4.3. The World as Politics and Power Relationships
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
4.4. The World as Luxuries
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
(p.105) 4.5. The World as Passions and Temptations
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
4.6. The World as School and Training Ground
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
4.7. Conclusions: World as the World‐view of Society
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Notes:
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
Uses of the Term ‘The World’
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-5
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Patrik Hagman
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
5.1. Fear as Starting Point for Spiritual Life
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
5.2. Fear of Bodily Things
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
5.3. Psychic Fear
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
5.4. The Spiritual Level
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
5.5. Conclusions: The Escape from a Society of Fear
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Notes:
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
Fear as the Existential Background of Asceticism
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-6
Ascetic Practice
Patrik Hagman
Ascetic Practice
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
6.1. Divisions of the Ascetic Life
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
6.2. Solitariness
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Defences for the Solitary Way of Life
Ascetic Practice
Being Dead to the World
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
6.3. Fasting
Ascetic Practice
Fasting as the Beginning of All Virtues
Ascetic Practice
Fasting and Sexuality
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Fasting as Separation
6.4. Vigils
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Vigils as the Life of the Angels
Ascetic Practice
6.5. Prayer
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
(p.159) Recitation and Reading
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Pure Prayer
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Spiritual Prayer or Non‐Prayer
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
6.6. Conclusions: Asceticism as Symbolic Behaviour
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Notes:
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
Ascetic Practice
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-7
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Patrik Hagman
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
7.1. Ecstasy
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy as Separation
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
(p.179) Ecstasy as Reintegration
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
7.2. Spiritual Knowledge
Different Kinds of Revelation
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
(p.185) Natural and Spiritual Knowledge
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
The Trinity
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
7.3. Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
True Humility and Natural Modesty
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
The Humility of God
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Becoming Humble
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
7.4. Conclusions: Becoming One with God
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Notes:
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
Ecstasy, Spiritual Knowledge, and Humility
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-8
Isaac's Eschatology
Patrik Hagman
Isaac's Eschatology
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
Isaac's Eschatology
8.1. The ‘Difficult Subject of Gehenna’
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
8.2. The New World
Isaac's Eschatology
The Resurrection
Isaac's Eschatology
Descriptions of the New World
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
The New World as a Source of Motivation in this World
Isaac's Eschatology
8.3. Conclusions: A New Body in a New World
Isaac's Eschatology
Notes:
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
Isaac's Eschatology
acprof-9780199593194-chapter-9
Asceticism and Society
Patrik Hagman
Asceticism and Society
Patrik Hagman
Abstract and Keywords
9.1. Asceticism as Response to Existential Problems
Asceticism and Society
Asceticism and Society
9.2. The Functionality of Ascetic Techniques
The Role of the Body in Ascetic Techniques
Asceticism and Society
Asceticism and Society
The Transformation of the Ascetic's Person
Asceticism and Society
Asceticism and Society
Ascetic Techniques as Medium of Communication
Asceticism and Society
9.3. The Goal and Message of the Ascetic Project
Asceticism and Society
acprof-9780199593194-appendix-1
(p.223) Appendix
Patrik Hagman
(p.223) Appendix
The Modern Study of Isaac of Nineveh
Early Studies and Editions
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
Studies Based on the First Part Only
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
Studies Based on the First Part and the Second Part
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
Studies Based on All Extant Works by Isaac
(p.223) Appendix
Notes:
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
(p.223) Appendix
acprof-9780199593194-bibliography-1
Ancient Sources
Patrik Hagman
Ancient Sources
Isaac of Nineveh
The First Part (PR)
Ancient Sources
Edition
(p.235) Translations
The Second Part (SP)
Ancient Sources
The Third Part (TP)
Translation
Other Ancient Writers
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Literature
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Ancient Sources
Notes:
acprof-9780199593194-indexList-1
(p.249) Index
Patrik Hagman
(p.249) Index
(p.249) Index
(p.249) Index
(p.249) Index
acprof-9780199593194-indexList-2
(p.252) Index of Names
Patrik Hagman
(p.252) Index of Names
(p.252) Index of Names
(p.252) Index of Names
(p.252) Index of Names
(p.252) Index of Names

✦ Subjects

hesychasm, Syriac, Orthodox, theoria, theosis

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