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Focusing on the fourth and early fifth centuries, Shaw considers three types of Christian arguments--physiological, psychological, and eschatological--about the efficacy of fasting in the ascetic pursuit of chastity. Demonstrating their connections also illumines relationships between body and belief, theory and behavior, and physical self-abnegation and theological speculation. In the process, Shaw examines a variety of texts from the seventh century b.c.e. to the seventh century c.e., including medical treatises, philosophical writings, Christian homilies, and theological treatises. Shaw provides a startling look at early Christian notions of the body--diet, sexuality, the passions, and especially the ideal of virginity--and sheds important light on the growth of Christian ideals that remain powerful cultural forces even today.

Fasting --- Chastity --- Women --- Religious aspects --- Christianity --- History of doctrines --- 248.153.4 --- -Fasting --- -Women --- -Human females --- Wimmin --- Woman --- Womon --- Womyn --- Females --- Human beings --- Femininity --- Abstinence --- Asceticism --- Diet --- Penance --- Hunger --- Starvation --- Ethics --- Evangelical counsels --- Sexual abstinence --- Sexual ethics --- Vasten. Versterving. Onthouding --- -Religious aspects --- -Christianity --- -History of doctrines --- -Vasten. Versterving. Onthouding --- 248.153.4 Vasten. Versterving. Onthouding --- -248.153.4 Vasten. Versterving. Onthouding --- Human females --- Fasting - Religious aspects - Christianity - History of doctrines - Early church, ca 30-600 --- Chastity - History of doctrines - Early church, ca 30-600 --- Women - Religious aspects - Christianity - History of doctrines - Early church, ca 30-600