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The role of death in the Ladder of divine ascent and the Greek ascetic tradition /

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The 'Ladder of Divine Ascent', the work of an otherwise shadowy figure, John Climacus (meaning of the Ladder), abbot of St. Catherine's, Sinai (ca. 579-649 CE), is one of the most popular and enduring classics of Greek ascetic spiritual direction. Hailed as the great synthesis of earl...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Zecher, Jonathan L. (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: Oxford, United Kingdom : Oxford University Press, 2015.
Edition:First edition.
Series:Oxford early Christian studies.
Subjects:
John, > Climacus, Saint, > active 6th century. > Scala Paradisi.
Johannes, > Climacus, > 575-650. > Scala paradisi.
Christian life > Orthodox Eastern authors.
Fathers of the church.
Death > Religious aspects > Christianity > History of doctrines > Early church, ca. 30-600.
Asceticism > History > Early church, ca. 30-600.
Askese.
Orthodoxe Theologie.
Table of Contents:
  • Introduction: Approaching the Ladder as a text in tradition
  • John of Sinai and the quest for unity
  • Biblical and philosophical foundations
  • The Life of Antony: embracing death on the ascent to God
  • The Desert Fathers: "Like a body whose soul has departed"
  • The great old men of Gaza: learning to die through obedience
  • The ladder of divine ascent: death makes the Christian
  • Conclusion: John Climacus' achievement.