Maxwell Simplicity and Humility in Late Antique Christian Thought

Elites and the Challenges of Apostolic Life
Erscheinungsjahr 2021
ISBN: 978-1-108-93632-3
Verlag: Cambridge University Press
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch

The social values of upper-class Christians in Late Antiquity often contrasted with the modest backgrounds of their religion's founders – the apostles – and the virtues they exemplified. Drawing on examples from the Cappadocian Fathers, John Chrysostom, and other late antique authors, this book examines attitudes toward the apostles' status as manual workers and their virtues of simplicity and humility. Due to the strong connection between these traits and low socioeconomic status, late antique bishops often allowed their own high standing to influence how they understood these matters. The virtues of simplicity and humility had been a natural fit for tentmakers and fishermen, but posed a significant challenge to Christians born into the elite and trained in prestigious schools. This volume examines the socioeconomic implications of Christianity in the Roman Empire by considering how the first wave of powerful, upper-class church leaders interpreted the socially radical elements of their religion.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Maxwell, Jaclyn L.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Kirchengeschichte Frühes Christentum, Patristik, Christliche Archäologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction; 1. Roman and Christian attitudes toward social and economic divisions (first–third centuries CE); 2. Christian attitudes toward social and economic divisions in Late Antiquity; 3. Tentmakers and fishermen: the apostles' social status in Late Antiquity; 4. Apostolic simplicity and elite education in Late Antique theological controversies; 5. The virtue of humility in Late Antiquity; Conclusions.

Über Autor(innen)

Maxwell, Jaclyn L.
Jaclyn L. Maxwell is Associate Professor of History and Classics/Religious Studies at Ohio University. She is the author of Christianization and Communication in Late Antiquity: John Chrysostom and his Congregation in Antioch (Cambridge, 2006) and has received fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks and the American Council of Learned Societies.