THE INFLUENCE OF ASCETICISM IN THE EARLY CHURCH: A LESSON FOR THE CHURCH TODAY
Abstract
Christian asceticism originated in the local churches during the first three centuries, not in hermitages or other monastic institutions. Teachings ascribed to Jesus Christ and the Apostles, in addition to earlier ideas from Judaism and Greek philosophers, had various effects on patterns of asceticism, both collectively and privately. This included self-denial, fasting and prayer, refraining from accumulating riches, and refraining from sexual activity. Most people observed communal fasting and prayer before the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection every week. Widows and virgins were revered for their abstinence from sexual relations, which promoted the moral purity necessary for prayer and prophesy. This work adopted a qualitative approach with a focus on historical and content analysis. The historical method is used, concentrating on a methodical approach to reconstructing the intricate details, the individuals, events, meanings, and even concepts from the past that have impacted and moulded the present. This study concluded that the church should still support asceticism in the form of fasting, prayer, abstaining from illicit sex, and avoiding the accumulation of wealth and money that would have improved the welfare of the general public.