Ehe- und Familienlosigkeit als einziger Weg zum Heil: (Sexuelle) Askese als exklusives christliches Ideal im 4. Jahrhundert

Abstract

In the 4th century, theological reflection on abstinence gained more attention than ever before. All major theologians of the time compiled at least one work on virginity and abstinence, trying to present these as the ideal Christian way of living. In some groups (the Eustathians in Asia Minor, the Hieracites in Egypt), the ideal of virginity even became an exclusive ideal, i. e. married Christians and other non-ascetics are, in their view, excluded from eternal salvation. The major church reacted to the exclusive ascetics’ challenge by rejecting their claim to exclusiveness and by emphasizing virginity in a hierarchy of Christian ways of life, while at the same time accepting married people as potentially capable of salvation.