1 / 17

Recap on Asceticism

Recap on Asceticism. Belief that discipline or self-denial releases the soul from bondage to the body and permits union with the divine. Essens believed their ascetic lifestyle would bring Israel back to God. Some early Christians believed asceticism would hasten the return of Christ.

damia
Download Presentation

Recap on Asceticism

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Recap on Asceticism Belief that discipline or self-denial releases the soul from bondage to the body and permits union with the divine. Essens believed their ascetic lifestyle would bring Israel back to God. Some early Christians believed asceticism would hasten the return of Christ.

  2. Recap on Asceticism Encratites – 2nd century Christians who believed contact to the world through the body should be rejected. 4th century – Christendom under Constantine elevated celibacy to the Christian ideal.

  3. Recap on Asceticism • 4th century on… • Christianity is now at the forefront. • The ideal of martyrdom is now less likely. • Clergy gained power, affluence, and influence. • Celibacy becomes the new symbolic discipline.

  4. Recap on Asceticism Some ascetics would exist in the desert, living a lifestyle of self-deprivation. More recently, Christians seek to experience Christ’s literal sufferings in the desert and on the cross.

  5. Recap on Asceticism Are we not called to identify with Christ’s sufferings? Are we not taught to renounce worldliness? Isn’t fasting a healthy form of self-denial?

  6. Recap on Asceticism • Yes. • Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, 2 Corinthians 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:12 • Yes. • 1 John 2:15, Romans 12:2, James 1:27 • And Yes. • Matthew 6:16, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23

  7. Recap on Asceticism • Paul’s afflictions: • Prison, severe flogging, exposed to death again and again, forty lashes minus one five times, beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked, on the open sea, on the move, rivers, bandits, Jews, Gentiles, city, country, false brothers, labor, toil, lack of sleep, hungry, thirsty, cold and naked.

  8. “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:30

  9. The Final Word… The life of the Spirit is not one of asceticism but one of assertion. We get rid of unacceptable desires in the only way possible, by replacing them with higher desires. We get rid of self centeredness by God-centeredness, through surrender.

  10. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

  11. False Humility Starting in Colossians 2:8, Paul eludes to a negative influence in the church. The very first descriptor of this group is presented in verse 18: “anyone who delights in false humility.” This descriptor is important enough to be repeated in verse 23.

  12. Genuine Humility • Among the virtues Paul later encourages us to clothe ourselves with (as God’s holy, chosen, and dearly loved people) is humility. • Colossians 3:12 • What then, are the key differences between true and false humility?

  13. True vs. False Humility TRUE FALSE Inwardly prideful and self-contemplative. Self-abases for the sake of obtaining praise. Personal agenda. Self-interested. Starts at the top and is frequently lowered. Acting. Ultimately humbled. • Regards others before oneself. • Does not seek the praise of one’s peers. • God’s agenda. • Servant-minded. • Starts at the bottom and is sometimes elevated. • Action. • Ultimately exalted.

  14. The Layers of True Humility Committed to serving God’s purpose. Unconcerned with your own personal issues or image. Unconcerned with the evaluation, respect, or accolades of others.

  15. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

  16. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4

More Related