Almsgiving as the essential virtue : a study of the homilies of John Chrysostom / by Becky Walker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Walker, Becky, Author.

Series:

Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae ; 0920-623X v. 183.

Vigiliae Christianae supplements, 0920-623X ; volume 183

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

John Chrysostom, Saint, -407.

John Chrysostom.

Charity--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Charity.

Salvation--Christianity--History of doctrines--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Salvation.

Physical Description:

vii, 206 pages ; 25 cm.

Other Title:

Study of the homilies of John Chrysostom

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2024]

Summary:

"This book seeks to add to common representations in the scholarship on almsgiving in late antiquity concerning the remission of post-baptismal sin, efforts to reform society, and competition between monks and bishops. It demonstrates that John Chrysostom conceptualized almsgiving as not only expiating the sins of the rich, relieving the suffering of the poor, or securing power for its promoters, but also expiating the sins of the poor, unifying the members of his congregation, and making humans like God. Although it could indeed save one from eternal death and physical hunger, it was salvific and transformative on other levels as well"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

Part 1: John's views concerning the practice and power of almsgiving. Introduction to Part 1

Almsgiving in theory and in practice

John's unparalleled claims regarding almsgiving's potency and applicability

Part 2: why almsgiving is the essential virtue in John's thought. Introduction to Part 2

Benefits of almsgiving beyond the forgiveness of post-baptismal sin

Almsgiving as a penance for the capital sins of adultery, murder, and apostasy

"The same philosophy is demanded of all": almsgiving as an equal opportunity for growth in virtue and a means to unity

Almsgiving as a means of earning credibility: John as patron of the poor

Conclusion.

Notes:

Revision of the author's thesis (doctoral)--Saint Louis University, 2018, under the title: Queen of the Virtues" : pastoral and political motivations for John Chrysostom's exaltation of almsgiving.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-203) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Walker, Becky. Queen of the virtues. Almsgiving as the essential virtue.

ISBN:

9789004687455

9004687459

OCLC:

1395536504