Saint Asterius of Amasea is the name of a little known man, but important. He is the fourth or fifth century Christian bishop whose work has been cited from the Second Council of Nicea onwards on the subject of religious icons and ecclesiastical art work. He is a treasure; a source of important information around the religious practices of polytheists in the later years of the Roman Empire. We have barely one fact concerning his early education. His principal teacher was a Scythian, who in his youth had been sold as a slave to a citizen of Antioch. His owner was a schoolmaster, and took great pains in educating him thoroughly. He made marvellous progress in learning and won for himself a great name among both Greeks and Romans. He preached in the latter part of the fourth century, among his sermons, we shall dwell on the sermon against divorce and our work will be scheduled as follows: First we shall see the life of Saint Asterius and his works; secondly, we will talk about the stylistic essence of his sermons, thirdly we shall depict the particularities of his writings, thereafter we shall discover his doctrine against divorce, and finally we will analyse his sermon against divorce.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
I. LIFE AND WORKS
A. LIFE
B. WORKS
II. THE STYLISTIC ESSENCE OF THE ASTERIAN SERMONS
III. PARTICULARITIES OF THE WORKS OF ASTERIUS
IV. THE TEACHING OF ASTERIUS OF AMASEA AGAINST DIVORCE
V. ANALYSIS OF THE SERMON ON DIVORCE
CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the life, homiletic style, and theological contributions of Saint Asterius of Amasea, focusing specifically on his sermon against divorce to understand his interpretation of marriage and his critique of contemporary moral and religious practices.
- Biographical background and literary corpus of Asterius of Amasea.
- Stylistic analysis of Asterian sermons and his rhetorical approach.
- Examination of the biblical teaching on the indissolubility of marriage.
- Critique of the disputatious nature of his contemporary religious opponents.
- The role of the sacramental marriage covenant in Christian social order.
Excerpts from the Book
ANALYSIS OF THE SERMON ON DIVORCE
Saint Asterius in his fifth oration, fixed his attention on the disputatious and tempting Pharisees; and he pitied them exceedingly for the depravity of their dispositions, inasmuch as they sought to outwit even the Fountain of wisdom by their questions and failed in their attempt; the divinity of the Only-begotten son ever turning their questions against themselves. It was of them as it seems to Asterius, that Isaiah prophesied, when he said, “I am the Lord that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish; that confirms the word of his servant.” And again David says, “They flatter with their tongue; hold them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own counsels.” But thanks be to them, hostile though they were, that they moved Wisdom to answer. “Behold, marriage, the chief affair of human life, is regulated by him, and the limits of this union and the conditions of its dissolution are exactly determined. Let each one earnestly attend to the two ordinances of marriage, in order that women may be instructed as to their duties and men in the duties which belong to them.”
The question here is to know whether it is lawful for a man to put away his wife for every reason. This, then, is the problem of the Jews. What is the aim of their asking this question in the presence of the others? For since women are more ready to believe than men and are more susceptible to the magnificence of miracles, and inclined to the acceptance and belief of the divinity of Christ, in order that they might lead Him to offend and alienate all women; the Jews, by their crafty question, laid a trap and snare to Him.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides a brief overview of the importance of Saint Asterius of Amasea and outlines the structure of the work.
I. LIFE AND WORKS: Details the historical background of Asterius, including his education, his transition from the legal profession to the clergy, and an overview of his significant homilies.
II. THE STYLISTIC ESSENCE OF THE ASTERIAN SERMONS: Analyzes the rhetorical quality of his preaching, highlighting his clear style, classical training, and heavy reliance on biblical references.
III. PARTICULARITIES OF THE WORKS OF ASTERIUS: Discusses the unique characteristics of his writing, specifically his use of Christian morality and his role as a witness to the society of his time.
IV. THE TEACHING OF ASTERIUS OF AMASEA AGAINST DIVORCE: Examines his interpretation of Jesus' teachings on the union of marriage as a bond defined by law and nature rather than a mere contract.
V. ANALYSIS OF THE SERMON ON DIVORCE: Offers a deep dive into the specific sermon where Asterius addresses the Pharisees' attempts to trap Jesus, framing marriage as a divine institution.
CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the theological understanding of the marriage covenant as indissoluble and essential for the strength of the Church and society.
Keywords
Saint Asterius, Amasea, Sermon on Divorce, Marriage Covenant, Christian Morality, Pharisees, Rhetoric, Homilies, Indissolubility, Theology, Biblical Interpretation, Church History, Sacramental Marriage, Religious Disputation, Fourth Century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic work?
The work focuses on the ecclesiastical writings of Saint Asterius of Amasea, specifically analyzing his theological stance on the indissolubility of marriage and his rhetorical analysis of biblical texts.
What are the core thematic pillars of the book?
The core themes include the life of Asterius, his rhetorical style, the critique of divorce, and the sacramental nature of marriage within Christian tradition.
What is the main research question explored by the author?
The author seeks to uncover how Asterius of Amasea interpreted the teachings of Christ regarding divorce and how he applied these lessons to refute the challenges posed by his contemporaries.
Which methodology is utilized in this study?
The study employs a text-based analytical and historical-theological methodology, examining original sermons, biblical quotations, and historical context regarding early Church fathers.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body covers the biographical details of Asterius, the literary features of his sermons, his specific teaching on the sanctity of marriage, and an in-depth analysis of his fifth oration concerning divorce.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is best characterized by terms such as Saint Asterius, marriage covenant, Christian morality, homiletics, and biblical exegesis.
How does Asterius characterize the nature of marriage?
Asterius views marriage not as a contract that can be broken at will, but as a divine, indissoluble bond between a man and a woman that mirrors the union of Christ and the Church.
How does the author interpret the attitude of the Pharisees towards Jesus?
The author, following the perspective of Asterius, describes the Pharisees as disputatious "tempters" who sought to trap Jesus intellectually rather than genuinely seeking spiritual truth.
What role does the "covenant" play in the author’s conclusion?
The author argues that the marriage covenant is the essential ingredient of the relationship between God and his people, and that human marriage reflects this divine stability and grace.
Why is Asterius of Amasea historically significant?
Asterius is recognized as an important 4th/5th-century bishop whose works are cited by the Second Council of Nicaea, making him a key figure for understanding religious practice and ecclesiastical art in the later Roman Empire.
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- Pierre Mvogo Amougou (Autor:in), 2020, Patristics. Saint Asterius of Amasea, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1131044
