Definition:
Asceticism refers to a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing spiritual goals. In the Christian context, ascetic practices are undertaken to foster a deeper relationship with God, enhance spiritual discipline, and cultivate virtues such as humility, self-control, and devotion.

Biblical Context:
The Bible does not explicitly use the term "ascetic," but it does provide examples and teachings that align with ascetic principles. Ascetic practices are often associated with fasting, prayer, and self-denial, which are seen as means to grow closer to God and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Old Testament Examples:
In the Old Testament, the Nazirite vow is an example of a form of asceticism. Nazirites abstained from wine, cutting their hair, and contact with the dead as a sign of their dedication to God (Numbers 6:1-21). The prophet Elijah is another figure who lived an ascetic lifestyle, often retreating to the wilderness and relying on God's provision (1 Kings 17:2-6).

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament provides further insight into ascetic practices. John the Baptist is a prominent ascetic figure, known for his simple lifestyle and diet of locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). Jesus Himself practiced fasting, as seen in His forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2). He taught about the importance of fasting and prayer, emphasizing that these practices should be done with sincerity and not for show (Matthew 6:16-18).

The Apostle Paul also addresses asceticism in his letters. He speaks of disciplining the body and bringing it into subjection as a way to avoid disqualification in the spiritual race (1 Corinthians 9:27). However, Paul warns against extreme asceticism that is rooted in legalism or self-imposed piety, which can lead to pride or a false sense of righteousness (Colossians 2:20-23).

Historical Development:
Throughout church history, asceticism has been practiced by various Christian monastic communities, such as the Desert Fathers, who sought solitude and simplicity to deepen their spiritual lives. Monastic rules often included vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, reflecting a commitment to ascetic ideals.

Theological Considerations:
From a theological perspective, asceticism is seen as a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is a tool for spiritual growth and transformation, helping believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporal pleasures. Ascetic practices are intended to cultivate a heart that is fully devoted to God, echoing the call to "be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).

Practical Application:
In contemporary Christian practice, asceticism can take various forms, such as fasting, simplicity in lifestyle, and intentional periods of solitude and prayer. These practices are encouraged as ways to deepen one's faith and reliance on God, fostering a life that reflects the character of Christ.

Conclusion:
While asceticism is not mandated for all believers, it remains a respected and valuable tradition within Christianity, offering a pathway to spiritual maturity and a deeper communion with God.1. (a.) Extremely rigid in self-denial and devotion; austere; severe.

2. (n.) In the early church, one who devoted himself to a solitary and contemplative life, characterized by devotion, extreme self-denial, and self-mortification; a hermit; a recluse; hence, one who practices extreme rigor and self-denial in religious things.

857. apheidia -- unsparing treatment
... 857 -- (from 1 "not" and 5339 , "to spare") -- properly, severity, referring to
a " form of self-control" based on an ascetic, unsparing attitude" (, 1, 88.90 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/857.htm - 7k3649. komer -- a priest (in idol worship)
... From kamar; properly, an ascetic (as if shrunk with self-maceration), ie An idolatrous
priest (only in plural) -- Chemarims (idolatrous) priests. ...
/hebrew/3649.htm - 6k

Ascetic.
... Sketch of the Life and Works of Saint Basil. III."Ascetic. ... [570] The cultivation
of the ground is the most suitable occupation for the ascetic life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iii ascetic.htm

The Ascetic Painters. February 16.
... The Ascetic Painters. February 16. We owe much (notwithstanding their partial
and Manichean idea of beauty) to the early ascetic painters. ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the ascetic painters february 16.htm

His Conversion and Ascetic Life.
... Chapter III."His Conversion and Ascetic Life. The quiet study of the Scriptures,
the example of his pious mother, the acquaintance ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter iii his conversion and ascetic.htm

Those Women who Choose the Ascetic Life and are Settled in ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XLVI. Those women who choose the ascetic
life and are settled in monasteries may by no? Those ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xlvi those women who.htm

To a Religious Man in Florence who was Shocked at Her Ascetic ...
... LETTERS TO A RELIGIOUS MAN IN FLORENCE WHO WAS SHOCKED AT HER ASCETIC PRACTICES.
In the Name of Jesus Christ crucified and of sweet Mary: ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to a religious man in.htm

Obstinancy of Theophilus. Enmity Between the Egyptians and the ...
... Enmity between the Egyptians and the Citizens of Constantinople. Flight of
Theophilus. Nilammon the Ascetic. The Synod concerning John. ...
/.../chapter xix obstinancy of theophilus enmity.htm

The General Service to a Monk-Martyr.
... Having received the grace of the Consubstantial Trinity, O great preacher and
ascetic, supplicate for our souls. [Both now ...the Theotokion: ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xviii the general service.htm

Life at C??sarea; Baptism; and Adoption of Monastic Life.
... According to his friend Gregory, Basil had already determined to renounce the world,
in the sense of devoting himself to an ascetic and philosophic life. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/iii life at caesarea baptism and.htm

The General Service to Two or Many Monk Martyrs.
... saved. O ascetic martyrs of Christ! ... mercy. The Versicle : Precious in the sight
of the Lord is the death of His saints. O ascetic martyrs! ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xix the general service.htm

The Epistle to the Colossians.
... The Colossian heresy was an Essenic and ascetic type of Gnosticism; it derived its
ritualistic and practical elements from Judaism, its speculative elements ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 94 the epistle to.htm

Ascetic (1 Occurrence)
... religious things. Multi-Version Concordance Ascetic (1 Occurrence). Colossians
2:23 These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom ...
/a/ascetic.htm - 7k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... In the fragments of his sermons which are preserved in the Gospels there is no trace
of any exhortation to ascetic exercises, though John's disciples practiced ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

General (9 Occurrences)
... expression of the Acts of Paul) "the word of God regarding abstinence and the
resurrection." 4. Heretical Teaching: Besides inculcating an ascetic morality the ...
/g/general.htm - 49k

Gnosticism
... This ascetic tendency is wonderfully widespread; it reappears century after century,
and shows itself in many forms of religion, not merely in distorted forms ...
/g/gnosticism.htm - 38k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... Jesus was so intensely absorbed that He forgot to eat. There was nothing ascetic
or ritualistic about it, and so this is no example for ascetic fasting for us. ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

Apocryphal
... expression of the Acts of Paul) "the word of God regarding abstinence and the
resurrection." 4. Heretical Teaching: Besides inculcating an ascetic morality the ...
/a/apocryphal.htm - 101k

Natures (12 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:23 These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-imposed
worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an ascetic severity. ...
/n/natures.htm - 10k

Josephus
... to one Banus, an ESSENES, (which see), in the desert of Engedi, with whom he remained
for 3 years, absorbing occult lore, and practicing the ascetic life. ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

Flavius
... to one Banus, an ESSENES, (which see), in the desert of Engedi, with whom he remained
for 3 years, absorbing occult lore, and practicing the ascetic life. ...
/f/flavius.htm - 13k

Restraining (9 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:23 These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-imposed
worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an ascetic severity. ...
/r/restraining.htm - 9k

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Ascetic: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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