bridling of desire, The
Book Description
Medieval Christianity developed a sophisticated understanding of human sexuality that extends far beyond the simplistic stereotypes often associated with that era. In this scholarly exploration, Pierre J. Payer invites readers to discover the nuanced theological framework that emerged during the later Middle Ages, revealing how medieval thinkers approached sexuality as an integral part of divine creation rather than merely a source of guilt and condemnation.
Drawing from extensive textual sources, Payer reconstructs the medieval worldview that sought to understand sexuality's place within God's cosmic design. The journey begins with examinations of Paradise and humanity's fall from grace, exploring how theologians understood the transmission of original sin and its impact on human nature. The discussion then moves through marriage as the sanctified expression of sexual union, demonstrating how medieval writers viewed matrimony as both a practical necessity and a spiritual institution.
The exploration deepens with an investigation of temperance as the virtue governing sexual impulses and desires. Rather than advocating suppression, medieval thinkers developed sophisticated approaches to channeling and directing these fundamental human drives. The culmination focuses on virginity, which these theologians regarded as the highest expression of temperance and the pinnacle of Christian spiritual achievement.
This comprehensive study reveals the positive dimensions of medieval sexual theology, offering contemporary readers insight into how an entire civilization grappled with integrating physical desire into a meaningful spiritual framework.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 285 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Aspect religieux
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Sex
- ✓ Explore Sex and history
- ✓ Explore Christianisme
- ✓ Explore History of doctrines
- ✓ Explore Histoire des doctrines
- ✓ Explore Christianity
