Basil of Caesarea: His
Life and Impact by Marvin Jones
We often think of an herb in a garden and forget that Basil
was also an amazing church father who helped mold the church into what it is
today. In Marvin Jones’ new book, Basil
of Caesarea: His Life and Impact, he takes a look into what made Basil so
important in the forging of the early church, how his theology helped fuel his
faith, and what made Basil so darn interesting.
Rather than come from an academic and dry perspective, Marvin explicates
Basil’s influence and theology, including his pneumatology with skill and
precision, highlighting the most instrumental points of his life and including
some amazing quotations as well. In
turn, Marvin brings together very interesting sections on monasticism, the Holy
Spirit, and Basil’s view of Scripture, which coincides with a Reformed and
Evangelical perspective. You will not be disappointed in reading this book.
Monasticism and Basil
Marvin quickly points out that Basil greatly appreciated the
monasteries of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria but he had some reservations as
well. Marvin writes, “Although Basil
admired the monks’ lifestyle, there were certain problems with the ascetic
approach. He recognized that the structure was more legalistic than spiritual.
While Basil did not reject the monasticism of the Egyptians and Syrians
entirely, his conception of asceticism allowed more of a communal environment
rather than one that isolated the individual from community (62).” Upon visiting these monasteries, Basil concluded
that a more communal approach would be more beneficial, and in turn, he would
be one of the founders of coenobitic monasticism or monasticism in connection
with others who had the same view on life.
Why was it that Basil sensed that living in community was better than
solitary living? For one, extreme
asceticism increased pride as a means of garnering spiritual weight over and
against other Christians who weren’t as extreme. Marvin points out that some of his criticism
of the more rigorous ascetic practices were due to his understanding of
Scripture. For one of Basil’s rules in
his rules for monastic living was that “Certain specific Christian duties, such
as feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, are impossible for the true
solitary (64).” Yet, even in his
criticism, much of the devout practices exhibited at these monasteries were
instrumental in Basil’s own life and in his founding of monasteries.
Basil and the Holy Spirit
One of Basil’s paramount contributions to theological
formulations in the early church was his writing on the Holy Spirit. He personally dealt with even people in his
own church who were confused about the Holy Spirit. Basil was one of the first theologians to
advocate for the an economic Trinity and also a view of the Trinity that
considers the one relationship between each person. He writes, “If a man calls upon God, but
rejects the Son, his faith is empty. If someone rejects the Spirit, his faith
in the Father and the Son is made useless; it is impossible to believe in the
Father and the Son without the presence of the Spirit … it is impossible to
call upon the Father except in the Spirit of adoption (103).’ Notice Basil’s
language regarding the Spirit, how it is impossible to disinvite the Spirit to
the party of the Trinitarian relationship.
The Spirit changes the heart of people and works with the Father in
adoption, also, the Spirit applies the work of the Son to the person. This is at the heart of Basil’s economic and
cooperative unity view of the Trinity, each person of the Godhead has different
roles or functions but they each carry them out in concert with one another,
never seeking to make a name for oneself but for each other.
I really think this book goes a long way in clearing up the
contribution that Basil made to the church and to the Christian faith
today. Take it, read it, and grow in
your faith.
Thanks to Christian Focus Publications and Cross Focused
Reviews for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Comments
Post a Comment