The Works of Saint Anselm (Prologium, Monologium, in Behalf of the Fool, and Cur Deus Homo) by Anselm (1-Jan-2012) Paperback

by Anselm of Canterbury

Anselm of Canterbury, later canonized in the 1100's, was a Benedictine monk and philosopher who is known as the father of scholasticism. He is also the founder of the ontological argument, saying that God exists because of his infinite power and authority over mankind. His written works are known for their rationalization of faith based on spiritual truths found within the Christian belief, which is detailed in "Proslogium." He believed in varying degrees of "good" and "bad," which meant that there must be an ultimate goodness with which to compare "good" and "bad." For Saint Anselm in "Monologium," this ultimate goodness is God. "Why God Became Man" discusses how Jesus Christ was sent to atone for God's dissatisfaction with mankind, defending God's honor and justice. Saint Anselm's ideas were not universally accepted. One rebuttal came in the form of "In Behalf of the Fool," a response to and critique of Saint Anselm's works written by the Benedictine monk Gaunilo. Today, Saint Anselm's writings, as well as the critique by Gaunilo, remain critical to anyone studying Christian theology. Saint Anselm's rationalization based purely on intuitive reasoning is astonishing. Because Saint Anselm did not rely on empirical evidence for faith, his beliefs were truly a test of his personal faith in God. Saint Anselm and his works are both impressive testaments to the historic and social significance of the Christian religion.

Paperback

First published September 13, 2011

About the author

born 1033

People best know Italian-born English theological philosopher and prelate Saint Anselm for his ontological argument for the existence of God.


He entered the Benedictine order at the abbey of Bec at the age of 27 years in 1060 and served as abbot in 1079.

Anselm, a Benedictine monk of monastery at Bec, from 1093 held the office of the Church of archbishop of Canterbury. Called the founder of scholasticism, this major famous originator of the satisfaction theory of atonement influenced the west. He served as archbishop of Canterbury under William II. From 1097, people exiled him to 1100.

As a result of the investiture controversy, the most significant conflict between Church and state in Medieval Europe, Henry I again from 1105 exiled him to 1107.

A bull of Clement XI, pope, proclaimed Anselm a doctor of the Church in 1720 . We celebrate his feast day annually on 21 April.

Reviews

[Terence Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a temptation to read classics for bragging rights alone. Yes, I managed to climb this mountain, finish this book. But classics are to be read for the satisfaction of journeying with a great mind for a worthy quest.

If I was in charge of the world, I would turn Cur Deus Homo into a comic or a children’s book. When I was younger, I read comic books on Western and Eastern philosophy. It is more than doable to turn Cur Deus Homo into a comic or children’s book.

(Note that I only read Cur Deus Homo. I got this edition because I got 4 books for the price of 1. Also note that I read two translations in my review. And I favoured the newer Hopkins and Richardson (2000) translation over Sidney Norton Deane's (1903).)

Full 3,147 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have given one star, but how can you that to a saint? Did not find his arguments at all convincing. The ontological argument rests on assumptions to which not everyone assents. If there really were an ironclad argument for the existence of God, would not everyone be a believer, at least intellectually?