Jovinian was an ascetic monk in the fourth century, who although he lived the ascetic life himself, came to believe that there was little purpose in perpetual virginity or taking the vows of chastity.
Jovinian’s Life and Conclusions
Jovinian lived a profoundly ascetic life which included infrequent washing, eating only the simplest and least amounts of food possible and of course, avoiding any interaction with women.
Over time, however, in Jovinian's study of the Scriptures, he came to believe that all baptized men and women were able to reach an equal level of holiness. And that in fact, according to the New Testament Gospel of Matthew 19:6 and the Old Testament book Genesis 1:28, all mankind had been called to marriage and procreation.
Along with these views that he held, he came to the conclusion that abstention from alcoholic substances or living a life of extreme vegetarianism produced no benefit whatever.
Ultimately, Jovinian was condemned by Pope Siricius and excommunicated from the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Many Christians followed him anyway which brought on criticism from St. Jerome and St. Augustine. St. Jerome had some pretty radical views himself, believing that all sexual intercourse was unclean.
Heresy and the Early Church Fathers
St. Jerome, in particular, was one of the Early Church Fathers who detested the beliefs of Jovinianism. He even wrote a book, Against Jovinianism which ironically is the only remaining documents the church has about this remote fourth century sect.
“Those, therefore, who desert the preaching of the church, call into question the knowledge of the holy presbyters . . . Now, all the heretics are such persons. So are those who imagine that they have hit upon something further beyond the truth . . . So as blind men who are led by the blind, they will deservedly fall into the ditch of ignorance,” according to A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers.
Other more famous heresies included Iconoclasm and the absolutely legendary Knights Templar.
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of Heresies and Heretics, by Charles S. Clifton.
- A Catholic Dictionary, by William E. Addis and Thomas Arnold, M.A.
- Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, by Dr. Ludwig Ott.
- A Short History of Christian Doctrine: From the First Century to the Present, by Bernhard Lohse.
- The Church in Crisis: A History of the General Councils, 325 - 1870, by Philip Hughes.
- A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide to More than 700 Topics Discussed by the Early Church Fathers, Edited by David W. Bercot.
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