Montanism and Montanists

[Olympiada]

I am rereading an article by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann entitled "Between Utopia and Escape" and he mentions "those Montanists" and I have no idea what he is referring to. Here is the context:


We have always had religion and sects and cults. In the Christian religion, in the history of the Church, we find that every century brings its own utopians and also its own escapees. For instance, in the second century we find those Monatists.

I will be researching this on my own, but I also want to discuss it with my peers and my teachers. The internet is kind of like a seminary to me, since I will not be able to go to seminary for a while, if ever.

In Christ
Olympiada

[Dimitri]

I am rereading an article by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann entitled "Between Utopia and Escape" and he mentions "those Montanists" and I have no idea what he is referring to. Here is the context:

Dear Olympiada,

I think the word is "monastists" if that is so you will be able to find answers in your search.

God bless
dimitri

[Herman Blaydoe]

Nope, the word is indeed MONTANISTS, named after their founder Montanus. It was basically a Gnostic sect, where Montanus and his followers Priscilla and Maximilla claimed to be embodiments of the Holy Spirit, in the mid 2nd century. The montanist heresy persisted into the 6th century. They were the inspiration for St. Irenaus' treatise "Against Heresies". They were probably the first manifestation of the "Pentecostals" or Charismatics in that they emphasized speaking in tongues and ecstatic prophesy. They claimed a higher authority than the Apostles and often spoke AS God, instead of saying "...thus says the Lord..." they would say in their ecstatic prophesies: "...I am the Father, the Word, and the Paraclete..." as if God were literally speaking through their mouths.

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear all,

By far, the best book on Montanism in its historical and theological scope is Christine Trevett's book, Montanism (Cambridge University Press), which has fairly well become the standard volume. It also goes to great length on the question of the role of women in the Montanist and New Prophecy phenomena, which is an important aspect.

So far as I know, the book is still available from CUP; but it will certainly be available in any strong academic library.

INXC, Matthew

[Tim Grass]

Nope, the word is indeed MONTANISTS, named after their founder Montanus. It was basically a Gnostic sect, where Montanus and his followers Priscilla and Maximilla claimed to be embodiments of the Holy Spirit, in the mid 2nd century. The montanist heresy persisted into the 6th century. They were the inspiration for St. Irenaus' treatise "Against Heresies". They were probably the first manifestation of the "Pentecostals" or Charismatics in that they emphasized speaking in tongues and ecstatic prophesy. They claimed a higher authority than the Apostles and often spoke AS God, instead of saying "...thus says the Lord..." they would say in their ecstatic prophesies: "...I am the Father, the Word, and the Paraclete..." as if God were literally speaking through their mouths.

I don't think the Montanists were really talked about much in Irenaeus's "Against Heresies," actually.... he mostly attacks the Valentinians and other Gnostic groups.

--tim