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St. John Chrysostom. On Demons. ADAM AND EVE. Early Christianity and Women. Early Christianity accepted women as equals and this was partly the success of the new religion: that there was no distinction, and all were welcome
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St. John Chrysostom On Demons
Early Christianity and Women • Early Christianity accepted women as equals and this was partly the success of the new religion: that there was no distinction, and all were welcome • Then patriarchal structures (in the form of bishops, priests etc, from which women were excluded) took control of the nascent Church, and women were marginalized. • Women became EVE, the source of all evil for mankind • They were blamed for the original sin (a concept put forward by Augustine) • They were responsible for the fall of Adam.
What is evil? • Sin is evil • Pestilence and famine are good • God is like a judge sometimes inflicting pain for the good of society • Reproaching God is like Kicking against Pricks • Demons can only partially possess and only so far as God allows it. • God allows the devil in order to train our souls. • The Devil is the Slanderer • The Devil can be an ally for good • Suffering is medicine