Where to Find Christian Philosophy? Spatiality in John Chrysostom's Counter to Greek Paideia

• Autores: Jan R. Stenger
• Localización: Journal of early Christian studies: Journal of the North American Patristic Society, ISSN 1067-6341, Nº. 2, 2016, págs. 173-198
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • [...]it will be argued that the preacher invests the concept of Christian philosophy with spatial qualities to make the monastic ideal available to his urban congregation. Chrysostom vigorously attacks these aspirations of the urban elite in his treatise On Vainglory, contrasting them with the care for the soul.59 Within the schools themselves, another social hierarchy cements the elitist character of Greek teaching. Since traditional philosophy is based on formal logic and argumentation-in the same way as rhetoric depends on the mastery of formalized techniques-there is an assignment of social roles to experts or authorities on the one hand and neophytes on the other, who have yet to complete their skills. Since he wants to make the monastic life a guideline not only for monks, but for all Christians he stresses the close ties between the rural ascetics and the urban population.80 That is also why Chrysostom repeatedly projects ascetic values onto Paul; by transferring the ascetic lifestyle to the Apostle he directs his flock back to the beginnings of the Church as a template for their conduct.81 The ordinary believers need living models, in addition to biblical characters of ancient times, in order to mould their souls according to the religious virtues.82 Thus the social dimension of philosophia is operational not only in the practice of virtue, especially charity, but already during the pedagogical process. [...]Chrysostom intimates, Christian knowledge will contribute to creating a humane urban society, which is tied together by mutual acts of love and the community of 'teachers' and followers.