1. High Medieval Western Theology

2. Western Theology
How can we describe the intellectual trends of the age?
How can we explain the particular approaches of the theologians discussed today?

3. Western Theology The University Organizations of masters and students
Specialization
Significant mendicant presence

4. Western Theology The University Students received clerical status
Latin
Focus of lectio: ancient authorities

5. Western Theology Aristotle (384-322 BC) “The Philosopher”
“Scientific,” misogyny
Aristotelian revival
Logical works already known in West
Other writings reached West through Muslim, Jewish scholars
Latin translations

6. Western Theology Scholasticism
Aristotelian logic used to explain, reconcile all knowledge
Reason and faith are harmonious
Mind derives ideas from sensory perception
Tools: dialectic, syllogisms

7. Western Theology
Questions?

8. Western Theology Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
Proslogion ( ): God’s nature, attributes
Ontological argument: God is “that than which no greater can be conceived”
Why the God-man? ( )
Incarnation necessary to make satisfaction to God

9. Western Theology
St. Anselm College, Goffstown, New Hampshire

10. Western Theology Peter Abelard (1079-1142) Canon, teacher in Paris
Enjoyed romantic relationship with Héloïse  disaster!
Became a monk, established Paraclete near Troyes
Abelard and Héloïse

11. Western Theology Abelard the Theologian Unorthodox?
Sic et non ( )
“Contradicting” opinions in Christian texts?
Listed over series of 168 questions
Reader’s job: resolve contradictions
Pursued by Bernard, tried (1141)

12. Western Theology Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) Born into nobility
Entered Dominican Order 1244
Studied in Paris, Cologne ( )
Taught at Paris, in Italy

13. Western Theology Aquinas the Scholastic
Sacra doctrina enshrines two kinds of truths
Supernatural (revelation)
Those attained by human reason (philosophy)
Aristotelian philosophy a useful “handmaid” for Christian theology

14. Western Theology Aquinas’s Major Works
Summa against the Gentiles ( )
Apologetic
For missions in Spain
Summa of Theology ( )
Handbook for beginners!
Treats God, God’s acts, redemption, sacraments

15. Western Theology Bonaventure (1221-1274) Healed by St. Francis?
Became Franciscan 1243
University of Paris  doctorate 1253
Minister general of Franciscan Order ( )

16. Western Theology Bonaventure’s Views Hesitant about Aristotle
Knowledge comes from illumination of the Word
The Mind’s Journey into God (1259)
Explains stages of contemplative ascent toward God
Culminates in mystical gazing on God

17. Western Theology
Questions?

18. Western Theology
How can we describe the intellectual trends of the age?
How can we explain the particular approaches of the theologians discussed today?

19. Primary Source Rule of the Franciscan Order Who was the author?
What is the purpose of the document?
Notable rules about the Franciscan way of life?
What is the relationship of this document to the Bible?
How can we contrast this document with the history and beliefs of the Waldenses?

20. Primary Source Clare of Assisi Primary Sources What kind of documents?
To whom were the documents addressed?
How are the person of Christ and poverty central here?
What insight do they give us about Clare as a person?

21. Primary Source
Aquinas’s “Reasons in the Proof of the Existence of God”
From which of his works does this excerpt come?
How does this reading strike you as “scholastic”?
What were his points on sacred doctrine?
What did he argue about God’s existence?