The body and desire : Gregory of Nyssa's ascetical theology /
Cadenhead, Raphael A.,1988-author.
"Although the reception of the Eastern Father, Gregory of Nyssa, has varied over the centuries, the past few decades have witnessed a profound awakening of interest in his thought. The Body and Desire sets out to retrieve the full range of Gregory's thinking on the challenges of the ascetic life by examining his evolving attitudes on what we now call gender, sex, and sexuality within the context of his theological commitments. Exploring Gregory's understanding of the importance of bodily and spiritual maturation for the practices of contemplation and virtue, Raphael Cadenhead recovers the vital relevance of this vision of transformation for contemporary ethical discourse"--Provided by publisher.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-254) and index.
Introduction -- The early phase, 371-September 378: the integrative significance of the body in the life of virtue -- Marriage, celibacy and pederasty -- The integration of virtues -- Gregory's emerging theory of desire -- The middle phase, September 378-387: the ascetical and eschatological mixture of male and female -- A worldly life of desire: marriage, children, money, and sex -- The death of siblings -- Doctrinal controversies; Christological and trinitarian -- The late phase, 387-394: erotic intimacy with Christ and the maturation of desire -- Spiritual maturation: virginity and the narrative of progress -- Male and female: diachronic exchanges -- Conclusion.
"Although the reception of the Eastern Father, Gregory of Nyssa, has varied over the centuries, the past few decades have witnessed a profound awakening of interest in his thought. The Body and Desire sets out to retrieve the full range of Gregory's thinking on the challenges of the ascetic life by examining his evolving attitudes on what we now call gender, sex, and sexuality within the context of his theological commitments. Exploring Gregory's understanding of the importance of bodily and spiritual maturation for the practices of contemplation and virtue, Raphael Cadenhead recovers the vital relevance of this vision of transformation for contemporary ethical discourse"--Provided by publisher.
Gregory, of Nyssa, Saint, approximately 335-approximately 394.
Gregory, of Nyssa, Saint, approximately 335-approximately 394.
Marriage
Asceticism
Gender identity
Marriage
Body and desire.