St. Methodius: the Symposium, A Treatise on Chastity

Ancient Christian Writers #27

by Methodius of Olympus, Thomas C. Lawler (Editor)

A monumental project which brings the English-speaking work key selections from the remarkable literature of early Christianity -- vertiable trasures of Christian faith and theology in superb translations.

Genres: Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1958

About the author

saint, died in 311

Reviews

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un dialogue philosophique écrit par Méthode d'Olympie sur la virginité écrit sur le modèle des dialogues platoniques. Bien que le thème ait été abordé par d'autres auteurs avant cela, c'est le premier livre à ma connaissance dans l'histoire de l'église qui s'y consacre exclusivement. Le dialogue en lui-même est bien écrit et bien réalisé, mais les raisonnements et interprétations bibliques m'ont laissé pantois plus d'une fois. En un sens, c'est un livre parfait pour illustrer les allégorisations excessives des Ecritures que l'on reproche aux Pères de l'Eglise. C'est un livre intéressant et utile pour tirer au clair la question: "Mais pourquoi donc les Pères en faisaient-ils des tonnes sur la chasteté?" Ce livre expose leur raisonnement.

Je recommande le livre à ceux qui se posent la même question, ou qui veulent voir un exemple d'excès allégorique dans l'interprétation biblique. Pour les autres, il n'est pas si important.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading a 3rd Century bishop gives a glimpse into how he viewed the book of Revelation (interprets it much as a defense for chastity, virginity and celibacy) and also how he engages the pagan philosophies of his day attempting to show the superiority of Christianity. He is not at all caught up in modern disputes between fundamentalists and literalists. He is not a literalist, but embraces seeking the deeper spiritual meaning in the shadows of the text.

[CK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate that although this primarily treats the topic of virginity, it gives a pretty comprehensive view of the Christian sexual ethic that is cosmic and eschatological. It gives so many rich perspectives on man's/Christ's body, the struggle and honor in fighting for holiness within and beyond sexuality (a la the Parable of the Ten Virgins), and the hope of the Christian era. The discourses, though varied in particular subject matter, all inspire by their conviction of Christ's coming day, the idea that God is continuing to work on his creation and sanctifying Christ's bride by washing, and the surpassing worth of heavenly treasure (knowing God, virtue, and spiritual purity, especially chastity).

I am tempted to reject the bias Methodius seems to have toward virginity as a spiritually higher way of living, but maybe I'm wrong. Despite this bias, he gives a beautiful defense of the blessedness of marriage in Logos II and III as redemptive, sacred, and lovely, and most of the glory of chastity he describes can probably be practiced both in marriage and in celibacy. Overall, this book was an unexpected detour on a topic I don't read much about that pulled me into some amazing spiritual reflection. I hope I am as changed by it over time as I am in the immediate term.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Methodius was one of the early Christian Fathers and martyrs. He wrote this treatise on chastity called Symposium. In structure it somewhat resembled Plato's Symposium.

The main value of this book is that it shows how early Christian scholars interpreted the scriptures. Sometimes the Alexandrian scholar Origen is identified as the one who brought allegory into the church, even though Philo and the Pharisees often used allegory. Jesus Himself taught in parables, a metaphoric form of teaching. Methodius was a critic of Origen, but he also disregarded the literal level of scripture. This is the way the early church looked for deeper meaning in the Bible, although the literal level was taken seriously also.

Methodius' Symposium explains chiliasm as a relationship between shadow, image and reality. This book is indispensable when it comes to understanding the early Christian view of the Book of Revelation.

There probably isn't a more beautiful symbolic prose-poem from the patristic times.