Ebook: Quis maritus salvetur? Untersuchungen zur Radikalisierung des Jungfräulichkeitsideals im 4. Jahrhundert

The significance of the ascetic ideal in Christianity grew during the 4^th century. It became a critical criterion for evaluating a Christian life. The groups presented in this study especially radicalized the ideal of sexual abstinence. They raised virginity in an exclusive sense to a sole principle for a legitimate Christian way of life, thereby coming into conflict with the greater Church.