Final answer:
Charity is often regarded by spiritual writers as the heart of the Christian life, aligning with the greatest of the three theological virtues and manifested in the history of Christian practice and philosophy, from asceticism to acts of benevolence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The virtue often regarded by many spiritual writers as the heart of the Christian life is charity. This view has historical roots in both the actions and writings of early Christians and medieval religious figures. The concept of charity, or love, is extolled throughout Christian teachings and is often seen as manifesting through acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness. It corresponds to one of the three theological virtues in Christian theology — faith, hope, and charity — with charity being the greatest.
During Late Antiquity, ascetic practices demonstrated a deep commitment to spiritual growth, which was an expression of love for God and renunciation of worldly attachments. Furthermore, medieval devotion emphasized the suffering of Christ, leading to a richer reflection on human empathy and love, as seen in Saint Francis of Assisi's emphasis on Christ's humanity and poverty.
Philosophically, St. Thomas Aquinas's adaptation of Aristotelian thought into Christian theology was an intellectual milestone that also touched upon the notion of virtue, particularly as it relates to benevolence — another form of expressing charity. The embodiment of virtues, such as those illustrated in the painting 'The Cardinal and Theological Virtues', particularly Charity, solidifies the centrality of this virtue in Christian thought.