The Hellenic Origins of Christian Asceticism (1916)

The Hellenic Origins of Christian Asceticism is a book written by Joseph Ward Swain and published in 1916. The book explores the origins of Christian asceticism, a practice of renouncing worldly pleasures in order to focus on spiritual development, and argues that it has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy and culture.Swain examines the works of Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics, as well as the practices of Greek religious sects such as the Pythagoreans and the Orphics. He shows how these ideas and practices influenced early Christian ascetics, such as the Desert Fathers and the monastic communities of the Eastern Orthodox Church.The book also explores the role of asceticism in the development of Christian theology, particularly in the debates over the nature of Christ and the relationship between the divine and the human. Swain argues that asceticism played a crucial role in shaping Christian theology and spirituality, and that its Hellenic origins have been largely overlooked by scholars.Overall, The Hellenic Origins of Christian Asceticism is a scholarly and detailed exploration of the history and philosophy behind Christian asceticism, and provides valuable insights into the development of Christian thought and practice.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.