Patristic Demanding Realism in Relation to Wealth: ho tropos diplous of (Pseudo-)Basil the Great

Jank Dominik Bogataj

Patristic Demanding Realism in Relation to Wealth: ho tropos diplous of (Pseudo-)Basil the Great

Keywords: (pseudo-)Basil the Great, social ethics, patristics, Clement of Alexandria, wealth

Abstract:
The present article deals with the Christian perception of wealth, as seen in two works of the Church fathers, through the original perspective of the so-called »demanding realism«. The renowned work Quis dives salvetur? of Clement of Alexandria broadens the radicality of the Gospel also to rich people with opening the path of responsible and unattached attitude towards possession. The homily De beneficientia of (pseudo-)Basil the Great represents an even more demanding position regarding wealth, through the transformation of the traditional dualistic paradigm of complete (non-)renunciation of wealth. It puts forward a two-fold positive expression of tropos diplous which concerns the way of »perfection« and the way of »those who tightly follow the perfected«. The author of this article offers an original contribution to the complex patristic perception of wealth – which is not only unilaterally unfavourable or totally indifferent, but, on the base of demands of the Gospel, considers the reality of different levels regarding the renunciation of wealth. The findings of this article seem to be relevant for the contemporary quest of concrete ethical relationship towards the material goods.

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