GUILT AND THE SCIENCE OF EMOTION: HOW DOES PRAYER FIT?

This article engages sources regarding evolutionary development of guilt (Richard Joyce's The Evolution of Morality, Jesse Prinz's Gut Reactions, and others) and how they can be used to dialogue with material on the alleviation of guilt in the Christian tradition using examples in the work of Anselm of Canterbury and John Chrysostom. This raises a few key questions. If guilt is an evolutionary trait created to build reputation and relationship, how does this mesh with some theological approaches to solutions for guilt? To be more precise, guilt possibly evolved to create a motivation for beneficial communal actions, and necessitates belief in the authority of the rules that one breaks to induce it. That said, does religion play a role in awareness of one's guilt, while also providing a solution to that guilt? The possibilities are explored in this article as they relate to issues of repentance, atonement, and prayer.     

Virginity,Singleness and Celibacy: Late Fourth-Century and Recent Evangelical Visions of Unmarried Christians

Abstract

Within the Evangelical world of family values, a small but intriguing group of recent books have been developing a vision of Christian celibacy that challenges assumptions about singleness and marriage. Many of these books are partly inspired by the writings of the Early Church. By comparing these books with similarly themed late fourth-century virginity treatises, this study explores how each develops an understanding of committed abstinent singleness as an holistic and positive way of life that goes beyond mere abstinence.

The categories of calling, commitment and sexuality are used to contrast Patristic virginity treatises by Gregory of Nyssa, Ambrose of Milan and John Chrysostom with contemporary books on Christian singleness or celibacy by Laura A. Smit, Annemarie S. Kidder, Barry Danylak and Christine A. Colón and Bonnie E. Field. This study focuses on the details of why people would choose such a life, what exactly they are committing to, and how they would handle sexual desire. Each source in its own way shows virginity/celibacy as a way of life, which, parallel with marriage, uniquely expresses love, service and a way of being conformed to the image of Christ.     

Poverty and Wealth in the Orthodox Spirituality (with special reference to St. John Chrysostom)

Abstract : This essay deals with the right relation we should have to material wealth in modern society, a society often marked by rank consumerism. Material goods are given to humans only to be managed for the benefit of all people, regardless of faith or race. This ethical stance does not attack or seek to abolish the right to private property, but restores it to its proper place. Specifically, patristic spirituality, such as that articulated by St. John Chrysostom, does not invalidate the principle of individual ownership, but corrects it, meaning that, while owners are owners in relation to the poor, they are only managers of wealth in relation to God.