Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons Irenaeus agrees:
“Here he manifestly declares the body to be the temple in which the Spirit dwells.”
Against Heresies
What did the early Christians say about the body?
They did not agree. Clement of Alexandria, Gregory of Nyssa and 4 others would say yes to the statement below. Ambrose of Milan, Jerome and 3 others would say no.
- 11On record
- 6Would agree
- 5Would disagree
The statement in the quiz
“Your body is a friend to look after, not an enemy to fight.”
The quiz puts it in today’s words. Each person below is placed by what they wrote or said. Where their line is clear on its own, it is printed with its source.
You said:
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6 early Christians
Would agree
Your side
Irenaeus of Lyons c. 130 to c. 200 · Smyrna, then Lyons 
Clement of Alexandria c. 150 to c. 215 · Alexandria Clement strongly agrees:
“Those, then, who run down created existence and vilify the body are wrong; not considering that the frame of man was formed erect for the contemplation of heaven, and that the organization of the senses tends to knowledge; and that the members and parts are arranged for good, not for pleasure.”
Stromata
Gregory of Nyssa c. 335 to after 394 · Cappadocia Gregory of Nyssa strongly agrees:
“That is temperance's highest aim; it looks not to the afflicting of the body, but to the peaceful action of the soul's functions.”
On Virginity
John Chrysostom c. 347 to 407 · Antioch and Constantinople Chrysostom strongly agrees:
“Wherefore I beseech you dear lady, and entreat you as a very great favour to pay great attention to the restoration of your bodily health.”
Letter to Olympias
Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 · North Africa Augustine strongly agrees:
“They are not destroying themselves; they are taking care of their health.”
On Christian Doctrine
John Cassian c. 360 to c. 435 · Egypt, then Marseilles Cassian agrees:
“For excess of fasting and gluttony come to the same thing, and an unlimited continuance of vigils is equally injurious to a monk as the torpor of a deep sleep.”
Conferences
5 early Christians
Would disagree
Your side
Antony the Great c. 251 to 356 · The Egyptian desert Antony disagrees:
“'For,' said he, 'the fibre of the soul is then sound when the pleasures of the body are diminished.'”
Life of Antony, as Athanasius recorded his words
Martin of Tours c. 316 to 397 · Gaul, today's France Martin disagrees:
“It is not fitting that a Christian should die except among ashes; and I have sinned if I leave you a different example.”
Letter to Bassula, as Sulpicius Severus, who knew him, recorded it
Ambrose of Milan c. 339 to 397 · Milan Ambrose strongly disagrees:
“So they who do not chasten their body, and desire to preach to others, are themselves esteemed reprobates.”
Letter to the Church at Vercelli
Jerome c. 347 to 420 · Rome and Bethlehem Jerome strongly disagrees:
“We do not expect that it will be so with us, but we look for increased vigour of soul which becomes stronger as the flesh grows weaker.”
Letter to Furia
Isaac the Syrian 7th century · Nineveh and the mountains Isaac strongly disagrees:
“The knowledge of God does not dwell in a body that loves comfort.”
Ascetical Homilies
What they said
More questions
your turn
Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? See where you would stand on this and 22 more. Start Suggest a correction. Corrections that are applied are recorded in the public changelog.