The role of the body in the spiritual struggle in “the ladder of divine ascent” by St. John Climacus  Cover Image

Rola ciała w walce duchowej w „Drabinie Raju” św. Jana Klimaka
The role of the body in the spiritual struggle in “the ladder of divine ascent” by St. John Climacus

Author(s): Arkadiusz Jasiewicz
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe Franciszka Salezego (TNFS)
Keywords: body; struggle; monk; renunciation; mortify

Summary/Abstract: Through His incarnation, Christ sanctified all of material creation, including the human body, which thereby became a channel of God’s grace. This theme of the glorified body is central to patristic and ascetic spirituality. Thus, Climacus adopts a similar attitude and represents the body as a “friend,” an “ally,” an “assistant” and a “defender.” Climacus’ theology in no way negates the meaning of the body though he speaks of three different, yet fundamentally similar, ways of carrying out this ascetic struggle: isolation (apotagê, kseniteia), the “royal” way and mortification. Although the body was destroyed by original sin, it is not by its nature sinful or sacred; but it may be sanctified. John Climacus simply informs his readers that transfiguration is possible here and now.

  • Issue Year: 35/2014
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 23-33
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Polish