On the Longer Rules

On the Longer Rules: A Thematic Study of the Writings of St. Basil the Great A rogue monk named Jovinian stood before Christian Rome and declared the unthinkable: celibacy was worthless, fasting meant nothing, and marriage equaled virginity in God's eyes. The comfortable elite loved his message. The Church's foundations trembled. Then Saint Jerome, the greatest biblical scholar who ever lived, rose to meet the challenge. What followed was the most ferocious theological battle in Christian history. From his monastery in Bethlehem, Jerome unleashed a literary work that saved Catholic doctrine on celibacy, priestly vows, and spiritual excellence. His brilliant response became the theological foundation that still guides the Catholic Church today - yet most Catholics have never read this crucial work. Why Every Catholic Needs This Book Every attack on priestly celibacy you hear today echoes Jovinian's 4th-century arguments. Every question about religious vows, spiritual hierarchy, and ascetical practices was answered definitively by Jerome in 393 AD. This controversy shaped Catholic teaching for the next 1,600 years. You Will Learn: How Jerome's devastating arguments crushed "comfortable Christianity" forever Why Catholic teaching on celibacy remains unshakeable after sixteen centuries The real reasons behind mandatory priestly celibacy How this ancient battle speaks directly to today's Church crises Jerome's brilliant use of Scripture, Church Fathers, and classical philosophy Thoroughly Researched Authority Based on extensive analysis of manuscripts from 374-420 AD, papal correspondence, and conciliar records. Author Ignatius W.T. Eusebius has spent years examining primary sources to reconstruct this pivotal moment when Catholic ascetical tradition hung in the balance. Perfect For: Catholics defending traditional Church teaching Seminary students and clergy Anyone facing challenges to Catholic doctrine Students of early Church history Jerome's passionate arguments leap from every page. His vision of Christianity demands heroic virtue, not comfortable compromise. In our age of theological confusion, we need the monk of Bethlehem's fire more than ever. The fate of Catholic tradition once hung on Jerome's pen. Read the thunderous response that secured our faith. Order now and witness the theological gladiator who saved Catholic teaching.