Athanasius and Asceticism [Paperback]

David Brakke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 1998

It is often assumed that early Christian asceticism drew its followers completely away from worldly concerns into the realm of pure spirituality. But the life and thought of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria (AD 328-73), shows just how worldly—and deeply political—ascetic theology could be. David Brakke examines this important church leader's efforts to reconcile asceticism's compelling intensity with the more conventional needs of the families and everyday believers on whom the Church relied for support and stability. Brakke describes how Athanasius joined with other fourth century bishops to create a strongly unified Christian church in Egypt, bringing both the solitary monks of the desert and the female ascetics in the cities under church authority by organizing them into auxiliaries of the emerging local parishes. By carefully integrating ascetic values and practices into a comprehensive vision of the church as a heavenly commonwealth, Brakke argues, Athanasius unified a community of Christians practicing diverse versions of their faith and helped to establish the lines of administrative and pastoral authority that would be essential to the church's future success. This illuminating study of the turmoil of fourth century Christianity also includes the first English translations of many of Athanasius's ascetic and pastoral writings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

There is much to commend in this fine book... Brakke does not succumb to the reductionist tendencies of Athanasian studies: he presents a theologically articulate, often misunderstood, ascetically oriented, ecclesiastically dedicated, visionary, and well-educated theologian whose agenda was to create a church in which all could have easy access and full status. Brakke has presented us with a portrayal of Athanasius that can be believed and trusted.

(Richard Valantasis Journal of Religion )

Advances our understanding of Athanasius and of Christian asceticism. Brakke brings a social historian's sophistication and a linguist's ability... providing a clear thesis with which to reckon.

(Joseph W. Trigg Church History )

A splendid contribution to the continuing debates about the relation of theology to politics in the controversies of the fourth Christian history.

(Theology )

A fine book... Brakke argues convincingly that Athanasius sought both to regulate the role of virgins (and women in general) in the life of the Church by removing them from public activities and to persuade the men who lived as monks... to become more actively involved in their local churches.

(Journal of Ecclesiastical History )

About the Author

David Brakke is an associate professor of religious studies at Indiana University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (November 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801860555
• ISBN-13: 978-0801860553
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,239,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating look at one of the most influential people of the 4th century, July 26, 2008

By 

Wes Howard-Brook (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Athanasius and Asceticism (Paperback)

This book is a reworking of Brakke's doctoral dissertation. As such, it is steeped in scholarly detail. At the same time, it is very readable by ordinary people, because of the excitement with this Brakke presents his subject matter.

Athanasius is little known to many people today, yet he was, by some estimations, the most influential person in the fourth century. Brakke's book focuses on Athanasius' central objective: to bring the independent monasteries of Egypt under the control of the bishops. In the process of conveying this highly political goal by someone usually considered a "theologian," Brakke shows how religion and politics are never separate endeavors. He presents clearly and effectively the key issues that were at stake in Athanasius' battle with the "Arians" as well as in his production of "The Life of Anthony," the Egyptian monk.

Brakke's work is focused tightly on his subject matter, leaving for others the exploration of Athanasius' engagement with emperors (see, e.g., Athanasius and Constantius: Theology and Politics in the Constantinian Empire. It is not every day that a doctoral dissertation translates into exciting historical reading, but Brakke has succeeded in making this a reality. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, this is the same book, June 26, 2008

By 

Aaron J. West - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Athanasius and Asceticism (Paperback)

Yes, this is the same book published in hardcover as "Athanasius and the Politics of Asceticism," from Oxford. I appreciate changing the title, because some chapters aren't as much about politics.