Cassianism refers to the teachings and writings of John Cassian, a 4th-5th century monk who heavily influenced early Western monasticism and theology. Cassian stressed the role of human free will in salvation, the value of monastic life, and was a proponent of Semi-Pelagianism. Here is an overview of some of the key aspects of Cassian’s teachings:
Emphasis on Human Free Will
One of Cassian’s most well-known teachings was his emphasis on the role of human free will in salvation. He argued against the idea of predestination put forth by Augustine and others. Cassian believed that while divine grace is necessary, humans must use their free will to accept and cooperate with that grace. This view became known as Semi-Pelagianism. Cassian did not deny the need for God’s grace entirely, but felt humanity had a role to play as well. This was in contrast to the teachings of Pelagius who argued for salvation through human effort alone. Cassian struck a middle ground, arguing for a synergy between grace and free will (Conference 13).
Value of Monastic Life
Cassian was a strong proponent of monasticism and wrote extensively on how to live the monastic life. His two most famous works were the Institutes and Conferences, which provided practical guidance for monks. Some of Cassian’s key teachings on the monastic life included:
-Renunciation of material possessions and family ties to fully devote oneself to God (Institutes 4.34-36)
-Obedience to a monastic elder or abbot as critical for humility and discipline (Institutes 4.8-11)
-The monk’s goal being purity of heart achieved through ascetic practices like fasting, poverty, and chastity (Conferences 1)
-A moderate path between extreme asceticism and laxity (Conferences 2)
-Prayer and psalm singing as essential daily monastic practices (Institutes 2.2-3)
Overall, Cassian portrayed the monastic life as the optimal path to sanctification and union with God. His writings helped standardize and spread early Western monasticism.
Views on Sin and Grace
In addition to his Semi-Pelagian teachings on free will, Cassian also had a moderate view on sin, perfection, and grace. He rejected the idea that moral perfection was possible in this lifetime but believed Christians should continually strive toward it nonetheless (Conferences 5.4). Cassian did not believe in total depravity of human nature after the fall. He felt that God’s grace restored enough of human free will to enable people to choose to do good works, by which they could merit more grace (Conferences 13.8). However, Cassian still viewed grace as ultimately necessary for salvation. His view represented a middle ground between Pelagianism and the strong Augustinian view of grace.
Teachings on Prayer
Cassian wrote extensively on prayer in his Conferences. Some of his key teachings included:
-Outlining the seven types of prayer Christians should engage in: prayers of supplication, devotion, intercession, thanksgiving, praise, mental prayer/contemplation, and pure prayer of fire from the Spirit (Conferences 9-10)
-The Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”) as a short and powerful form of prayer (Conferences 10.4)
-Cautions against seeking ecstatic experiences or visions as higher forms of contemplative prayer (Conferences 11-14)
-Emphasis on simplicity, humility, and purity of heart in prayer rather than need for eloquence or complexity (Conferences 9.18)
-Prayer as only effective when synergized with grace and good works (Conferences 13)
Overall, Cassian saw prayer as essential to the Christian life but emphasized a balanced approach focused on humility rather than mystical experiences.
Teachings on Discernment and the Eight Principal Vices
One of Cassian’s major contributions to Christian theology was mapping out eight principle vices or “evil thoughts” that plague the soul: gluttony, lust, greed, wrath, sadness, acedia (apathy/boredom), vainglory, and pride (Institutes 5-12). He believed monastics must develop discernment to recognize these vices and fight them through practices like fasting, prayer, and meditation on scripture. Cassian argued these vices originate from satanic suggestions rather than human free will alone. Therefore, Christians need God’s grace to overcome them (Conference 1.15). But they also need to make the free will choice to resist temptation. Cassian’s teachings on discernment of evil thoughts and how to combat them had a major influence on later thought, most significantly on Pope Gregory the Great’s mapping of the seven deadly sins.
Attitudes Toward Wealth and Poverty
As an ascetic, Cassian viewed wealth and material possessions negatively as distractions from the spiritual life. He associated wealth with pride and advocated for monastic poverty as an antidote (Institutes 4.3). However, Cassian rejected the extreme view that wealth itself was inherently evil. He argued rich Christians could still potentially be saved by using their wealth virtuously for almsgiving (Conferences 2.15). He taught that inner detachment from wealth was more important than outward poverty. Cassian believed ascetic renunciation of wealth was a counsel for perfection, not a requirement for salvation. His moderate view on wealth was likely influenced by the prosperity he observed among many Roman Christian elites. Overall, he still idealized monastic poverty but did not condemn ethical use of wealth.
Legacy and Influence
John Cassian had an immense influence on early Western Christianity and monasticism. His Institutions and Conferences became standard reading in most monasteries of the time. Some of Cassian’s key impacts include:
-Helping spread Eastern monasticism and ascetic theology in the West
-Influencing later monastic rules such as the Rule of Benedict
-Shaping the medieval monk’s worldview and practices through his spiritual writings
-Contributing to the Semi-Pelagian view of soteriology that dominated 5th century Gaul
-Providing a moderate alternative to Augustinian theology on grace, free will, and original sin
-Influencing later thought on discernment, prayer, and combating vice through his maps of evil thoughts and forms of prayer
While controversial in his own day, Cassian’s ideas went on to have a deep impact on Western spirituality and theology for centuries. Elements of his thought can be seen in diverse figures such as Benedict of Nursia, Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas Aquinas, and even Martin Luther. John Cassian left an important legacy through his nuanced integration of the Eastern monastic wisdom he sought to transmit to future generations of Western Christians.