Asceticism and the Pursuit of Christian Holiness
Christian holiness, in its highest sense, belongs to God [1]. For believers, it signifies being consecrated to God's service and conforming to His will [1]. This pursuit of holiness is a gradual process, often described as a "work of gradual development" [1]. It involves the Holy Spirit bringing the entire human nature increasingly under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [3]. This process, known as sanctification, aims to carry to perfection the work begun in regeneration and extends to the whole person [3].
Asceticism, in some Christian traditions, has been understood as a means to achieve this holiness, though its interpretation and application vary. The term "asceticism" itself refers to practices of severe self-discipline and abstinence from various indulgences, typically for religious reasons. However, certain forms of asceticism have been critiqued within Christian thought. For instance, some early Christian groups were criticized for a "spurious spiritualism" that equated moral perfection with abstinence from outward things, such as forbidding marriage or abstaining from certain foods [5]. This was seen as an attempt to attain a higher perfection through human-devised practices rather than through God's grace [5]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:3, addresses those who "forbid marriage, and command to abstain from meats," indicating a concern about such practices [5]. Similarly, in Colossians 2:23, Paul speaks of practices that have a "show of wisdom" but are characterized by "will-worship," meaning worship invented by human will rather than commanded by God [6]. Such "will-worship" is contrasted with genuine piety, as God is described as being jealous of human-invented worship [6].
Instead of focusing on external prohibitions, the New Testament emphasizes an inward transformation and active pursuit of virtues. Holiness is linked to love and peace, with John Chrysostom highlighting that "Love towards one another, and Peace" are paramount characteristics of Christianity [7]. He quotes Jesus, "My peace I give unto you" (John 14:27), and "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye love one another" (John 13:35) [7]. Paul's exhortation to "Follow peace with all men, and holiness" (Hebrews 12:14) underscores this connection, defining holiness as purity [7].
The pursuit of holiness involves actively cleansing oneself from "filthiness of the flesh and spirit" [9]. Adam Clarke interprets "filthiness of the flesh" to include sins like drunkenness, fornication, and adultery, while "filthiness of the spirit" encompasses all thoughts and practices contrary to God's doctrine that pollute the soul [9]. This cleansing is not merely a moral reformation but a work of the Holy Spirit [3].
Christian holiness also entails the cultivation of specific virtues. Diligence is required in seeking God, obeying Him, hearkening to His word, striving for perfection, and cultivating Christian graces [4]. Believers are exhorted to be diligent in guarding their souls and hearts, engaging in labors of love, and following every good work [4]. Meekness is another key characteristic, exemplified by Christ Himself and taught in His ministry [2]. It is considered a fruit of the Spirit, and saints are encouraged to seek it, put it on, receive the word of God with it, and exhibit it in their conduct [2].
The call to holiness is a solemn one, urging believers to live a life worthy of their calling [8]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that Christians must be "faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin" [10]. This pursuit is carried out despite many hindrances, necessitating watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance [1].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:3: Sensuality leads to false spiritualism. Their own inward impurity is reflected in their eyes in the world without them, and hence their asceticism (Tit 1:14-15) [WIESINGER]. By a spurious spiritualism (Ti2 2:18), which made moral perfection consist in abstinence from outward things, they pretended to attain to a higher perfection. Mat 19:10-12 (compare Co1 7:8, Co1 7:26, Co1 7:38) gave a seeming handle to their "forbidding marriage" (contrast Ti1 5:14); and the Old Testament distinction as to clean and unclean, gave a pretext for teaching to "abstain”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 2:23: have--Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom--rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [ALFORD]. will-worship--arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Lev 10:1-3). So Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the office of priest (Ch2 26:16-21). Compare the will-worship of Saul (Sa1 13:8-14) for which he was doomed to lo”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: 506 Homily XXXI. Hebrews xii. 14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, 3408 3408 or, “the sanctification.” without which no one shall see the Lord .” [1.] There are many things characteristic of Christianity: but more than all, and better than all, Love towards one another, and Peace. Therefore Christ also saith, “My peace I give unto you.” ( John xiv. 27 .) And again, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye love one another.” ( John xiii. 35 .) Therefore Paul too says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness,” that is, puri”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:17: The apostle having gone through his exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, in the foregoing verses, there follows in these an exhortation to Christian purity and holiness of heart and life, and that both more general (Eph 4:17-24) and in several particular instances, Eph 4:25-32. This is solemnly introduced: "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord; that is, seeing the matter is as above described, seeing you are members of Christ's body and partakers of such gifts, this I urge upon your consciences, and bear witness to as your duty in the Lord's”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 7:1: Having therefore these promises - The promises mentioned in the three last verses of the preceding chapter, to which this verse should certainly be joined. Let us cleanse ourselves - Let us apply to him for the requisite grace of purification; and avoid every thing in spirit and practice which is opposite to the doctrine of God, and which has a tendency to pollute the soul. Filthiness of the flesh - The apostle undoubtedly means, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, and all such sins as are done immediately against the body; and by filthiness of the spirit, all”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”