1. St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
Typically considered bridge
between Augustine and Aquinas
in Christian theology.
Benedictine monk. Archbishop
of Canterbury, England.
Major works:
Cur Deus Homo on Christology
Proslogion on the rationality of faith

2. St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
Theology is “faith seeking understanding”
“I do not endeavor, Lord, to penetrate your heights, for in no way do I compare my understanding with yours; but I long to understand (to some degree) your truth, which my heart believes and loves. In short, I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe-that unless I believe I shall not understand.” -- Anselm, Proslogion, 1.
Anselm of Canterbury
Precursor of Scholasticism
Wrote in the intellectual genealogy of St. Augustine
Wrote important works on the incarnation (Cur Deus Homo) and on the possibility of understanding God (Proslogion). He also is
famous for his ontological proof of God’s existence, which we will consider later in the semester.
In terms of this discussion, Anselm is important, because he believed that there is a necessary precursor to understanding God, and that is faith. His point of view makes sense, because any knowledge must begin with belief.
What do you observe about this text?
Written as a prayer
Reflective
Back and forth (symmetry)
What does he say about knowing God?
If theology is “rational discourse on God,” then you must start with God.
Who is God? Where is God? How do you define God?
Anselm defines God as “the greatest thing we can think.” The absolute greatest thing. The ultimate. Many of our thoughts of God are not “the greatest thing,” including the way God is construed in many Christian circles.
“Spaghetti monster” --

3. Anselm’s argument for God’s existence
God is the greatest thing we can think.
Everyone can understand God in this way.
Therefore, God exists as an idea in our minds.
It is better to exist in reality than to exist merely in the mind.
God must exist in reality.

4. Thomas Aquinas ( )
Image: St. Thomas Aquinas by Carlo Crivelli. Public domain.

5. The Aristotelian Horizon of Thomas Aquinas
Rediscovery of Aristotelian philosophy in the “Western,” Latin-speaking world
Platonic philosophy: truth is eternal, unified, formal
Aristotelian philosophy: truth is substantial
Image: School of Athens by Raphael. Public domain.

6. The Aristotelian Horizon of Thomas Aquinas
Knowledge is found via meticulous questioning
“Substance" the most basic form of existence that defines the “truth” of a thing.
Teleological metaphysics – existence is moving towards a designated end, which is perfection, so truth is ascertained by determination of causes and purposes.

7. Thomas’s Method: Analogical Language
Univocal Language: a 1-to-1 correlation between language and object
(apples-to-apples)
Inadequate for talk about God
Equivocal – no correlation
(apples to oranges)
Analogical – a relative correlation
Creator-to-creation
Theological language is “true” insofar as it relates to God.