A Gnostic Perspective on Desire and Marriage

The ancient world, with its diverse philosophies and religious beliefs, often presents us with intriguing and sometimes perplexing attitudes towards sexuality and marriage. A particularly striking perspective comes from Clement of Alexandria, a Christian theologian of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, who offered a Gnostic view that seems to set a rather low bar for marital desires and conjugal relations.

The Gnostic Ideal: Circumscribing Desires

Clement of Alexandria, in his work Stromata, elaborates on the Gnostic approach to life, possessions, and enjoyment. He posits that the true Gnostic circumscribes his desires to what is necessary, valuing not merely living but living well. This philosophy extends to all aspects of life, including marriage and sexual relations. According to Clement:

• Moderation in Desire: The Gnostic values knowledge (gnosis) and the increase of science (episteme) above all. Consequently, he moderates his desires, including sexual desires, and focuses on spiritual and intellectual pursuits.
• Marital Relations: After conception, a wife is to be regarded as a sister, only recalling her husband when she looks at their children. This view transforms marital relationships into a more platonic bond, emphasizing spiritual equality and the eventual transcendence of gender and sexual distinctions in the spiritual realm.

The Contrast with Common Marital Desires

Clement’s views might seem to set an unusually low bar for marital intimacy, especially when compared to the more common expectations of marital life, where physical intimacy plays a significant role. This raises an interesting question: were husbands generally this detached from their wives in the ancient world?

A Different Historical Narrative: Demetrius and His Wife

A fascinating anecdote from the History of the Coptic Patriarchs provides a contrasting example. It tells the story of Patriarch Demetrius, who, despite being married, lived a life of complete celibacy with his wife for forty-eight years. An angelic visitation eventually compelled him to reveal this secret to his congregation, showcasing his extraordinary self-control and spiritual dedication.

• Angel’s Command: An angel instructed Demetrius to disclose his celibate lifestyle to prevent scandal and to demonstrate his piety to the people.
• Public Demonstration: During a liturgical celebration, Demetrius and his wife publicly handled burning embers without harm, symbolizing their purity and divine favor.

This narrative highlights a rare but significant instance where marital relations were entirely sublimated in favor of spiritual commitments, aligning somewhat with Clement’s Gnostic ideals.

Medical Perspectives on Sexuality

The ancient medical understanding of sexuality, as discussed by Galen, also sheds light on the regulation of sexual desires. Galen recognized that sexual desire was a natural, self-regulating mechanism aimed at expelling excess seed. However, he also noted that humans often indulged excessively in sexual pleasure, necessitating moral and practical guidelines to regulate such desires.

• Evacuation Model: Sexuality functions to expel excess bodily fluids.
• Excessive Indulgence: Humans, unlike animals, tend to overindulge in sexual pleasure, driven by an obsession with sensual experiences.
• Need for Regulation: Hence, moral and philosophical teachings were deemed necessary to moderate these desires, ensuring they did not detract from more virtuous and intellectual pursuits.

The Broader Implications

The examples of Clement, Demetrius, and Galen together illustrate the complexity of ancient attitudes towards sexuality and marriage. While some, like Clement and Demetrius, advocated for extreme moderation or even celibacy within marriage, others recognized the natural and necessary aspects of sexual desire but emphasized the need for regulation.

Conclusion

Clement of Alexandria’s Gnostic perspective on marriage and sexuality certainly sets a unique and austere standard, one that seems to challenge common perceptions of marital intimacy. By viewing his wife as a sister and focusing on spiritual equality, Clement's ideal reflects a profound commitment to spiritual and intellectual pursuits over physical desires. Meanwhile, stories like that of Demetrius provide historical anecdotes that highlight the extent to which some individuals went to align their lives with these high spiritual ideals.

The broader context, including medical insights from Galen, underscores that the ancients were indeed deeply concerned with regulating sexual desires to maintain moral and intellectual integrity. Whether or not such extreme practices were widespread, they certainly offer a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways in which ancient societies grappled with the interplay of body, mind, and spirit.