Encratites

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Enkratiten ( ancient Greek ἐγκράτεια "abstinence") is a name for the followers of a widespread and varied ascetic tendency in the old church from the end of the 2nd century to the end of the 3rd century, which by strict abstention from the consumption of meat and wine as well sexual abstinence aimed at spiritualization. Often wine was replaced by water even at the Lord's Supper ( aquariums or hydroparastates ).

classification

The Enkratites did not form as a closed heretical movement or party, but are a collection of various ascetic currents and groupings within the very broad spectrum of the ancient church. Already in the second half of the second century around the Syrian theologian Tatian († approx. 170 AD) there was a strict rejection of ancient Greek culture , which was equated with sensual pleasure and amorality. The 19th century thesis that Tatian's doctrine was the origin of the encratites has been considered obsolete since the early 20th century.

Due to the same forms of asceticism in some Gnostic groups, for whom matter was considered an evil principle, the Enkratites were also seen as part of Gnosis. In addition, there is a similar, sex-hostile interpretation of the Paradise narrative ( Gen 1-3  EU ), which is reminiscent of later Manichaeism and its influence on Augustine . As a heresiological term, Enkratiten was used almost exclusively by Greek and Latin-speaking theologians. In Syria, the attitude was ascribed more to church Christians , while Gnostic groups such as the followers of Bardaisan rejected asceticism, so that it is assumed that Syrian Christianity was characterized by encraticism in the first centuries. The Messalians , who in turn helped to shape monasticism, were the offshoots of the history of their influence.

The Old Church developed from a minority to a mass movement in the course of the 3rd century. This led frömmigkeits historically some Christians who wanted to continue to differ as believers of the environment, increased asceticism and Heiligungsbewegungen .

Sources and content

The ascetic ideal of Christian groups that developed in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, from which forerunners of monasticism later emerged, is documented in two anonymous writings, the Acts of Thomas and the work On Virginity , a (presumably fictitious) collection of letters. The latter text formulates an angelic life in the greatest possible conformity to Christ as the goal of Christian asceticism . A separation is seen between true believers, who are recognizable through strict asceticism, and other believers who do not follow Christ in his way of life. The Enkratites had a special interpretation of the creation story . Sexuality is a consequence of the Fall, as it is described in Gen 3  EU , and makes humans equal to animals. This understanding of biblical anthropology led to positions that were strongly critical of marriage, which the early church fought against, but at the same time contributed to the development of celibacy in the beginning monasticism.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Christoph Markschies : The ancient Christianity. Piety, ways of life, institutions . 2nd Edition. CH Beck, Munich 2012, ISBN 978-3-406-63514-4 , p. 161
  2. ↑ a b Christoph Markschies : The ancient Christianity. Piety, ways of life, institutions . 2nd Edition. Munich 2012, p. 162.
  3. ↑ a b Enkratīten . In: Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon . 6th edition. Volume 5, Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig / Vienna 1906, pp.  823–824 .
  4. ↑ Christoph Markschies : The ancient Christianity. Piety, ways of life, institutions. 2nd Edition. CH Beck, Munich 2012, ISBN 978-3-406-63514-4 , p. 163.
  5. ^ Friedrich Winkelmann : History of early Christianity . 4th edition. Munich (2007), p. 74.
  6. ↑ cf. Scripture Oratio ad Graecos . Kp 2, quoted from: Early Christian apologists and martyrs files. Volume I. Translated from the Greek and Latin by Dr. Kaspar Julius (Aristides); Dr. Gerhard Rauschen (Justin, Diognet); Dr. RC Kukula (Tatian); P. Anselm Eberhard (Athenagoras). (Library of the Church Fathers, 1st row, Volume 12) Munich 1913; Retrieved on March 7, 2014 from BKV University of Friborg Switzerland .
  7. ↑ Bernd Moeller: History of Christianity in basics . 10th edition. Göttingen 2011, p. 66 f.
  8. ↑ a b Christoph Markschies : The ancient Christianity. Piety, ways of life, institutions . 2nd Edition. CH Beck, Munich 2012, ISBN 978-3-406-63514-4 , p. 162 f.