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If many spiritual 17th century writings insist on a full Christian life ascetic dimension, the word “ascetism” remained, nevertheless, absent from all dictionaries. Heroic self control is only one aspect of Christian penitence and is in no way the object of any particular theory. The 17th century, despite its admiration for desert Fathers, was always suspicious of theirs spectacular feats which could have been motivated only by pride and self esteem. Also, an inwardly growing piety undervalues physical effort elating instead spiritual exercises. Important theological stakes surfaced nevertheless : for Port Royal augustinian writers, too much trust in cathartic or meritorious values would ruin the all powerfull efficient grace. On the other side, defenders of quietude, feared that ascetic effort may paralyse pure love dynamism. Thus, technical debates transform ascese into a controversial argument and it’s in this way that it is rehabilitated by ecclesiastical orthodoxy at the time of quietism quarrel. In reality, the French xviith century didn’t want to separate ascetic sense and mystical sense.
CLIL theme: 4127 -- SCIENCES HUMAINES ET SOCIALES, LETTRES -- Philosophie -- Philosophie éthique et politique