By Almsgiving and Faith Sins Are Purged? A Critical Analysis of the Theological Underpinnings of Christian Almsgiving in the Second and Third Centuries.

Abstract

The present essay aims to describe some of the most prominent theological tributaries in the development of early Christian almsgiving and briefly to assess to what degree we might assent to and endorse these ethical exhortations of the earliest churches. The themes considered will be appeals to charitable giving that are not based on warrants of self-interest and appeals that highlight the benefits accrued to the giver. This latter category examines how almsgiving (a) was construed as a mechanism of purging of the passions, (b) was highlighted as a mechanism for remitting sins, and (c) was encouraged under the threat of eschatological judgment.