Proslogion and Cur Deus Homo
Proslogion and Cur Deus Homo
Prayer, reason, and the logic of faith seeking understanding.
About this book
These two works show Anselm at his most influential. Proslogion is a prayerful philosophical search for God, famous for the argument that God is that than which nothing greater can be thought. Cur Deus Homo asks why the incarnation matters, developing a careful account of sin, justice, and restoration. Together they reveal medieval theology as a disciplined form of reasoning shaped by devotion.
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- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 12493 words
Anselm begins his journey by calling the mind to leave behind distractions and enter into contemplation. He sets the stage for a profound inquiry into God's nature, grounded in faith and longing for understanding.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 23939 words
This chapter delves into the relationship between God's justice and mercy, exploring how they coexist in the divine nature. Anselm wrestles with the soul's longing to see God fully, even as it encounters the limits of human understanding.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 31708 words
This chapter explores the nature of heavenly joy, contrasting earthly delights with eternal blessings. It considers how love, knowledge, and joy will be perfected in the presence of God.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 43340 words
This chapter examines the logic behind the belief that God had to contend with the devil in justice before using His power to save humanity. Anselm challenges this view, arguing that the devil has no rightful claim over man.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 14482 words
As the dialogue deepens, Anselm and Boso explore the nature of sin and the necessity of satisfaction. Anselm defines sin as failing to render God his due honor, and argues that such dishonor must be repaid or punished.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 24499 words
Anselm continues his argument about the number of the elect, now considering whether more men will be saved than angels fell. He explores the implications of the original number of angels and the necessity of satisfaction for sin.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 34634 words
Anselm presses the argument that sin creates an infinite debt, one no human effort can repay. Boso, confronted with reason alone, sees no escape. Yet faith whispers hope, and Anselm prepares to show how Christ alone satisfies this impossible obligation.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 44165 words
As the argument deepens, Anselm and Boso explore the necessity of a God-man for salvation. They examine how this being must be born of Adam's race, from a virgin, and why the Word alone should assume human nature.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 54227 words
Anselm now examines what gift the God-man must offer to atone for sin. He argues that nothing is more fitting than a voluntary death, which has infinite value.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 64419 words
Anselm and Boso continue their dialogue, now focusing on whether Christ's death was compelled by necessity. Boso raises doubts, and Anselm clarifies the nature of divine freedom and the distinction between antecedent and subsequent necessity.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 7628 words
In this chapter, Anselm and Boso examine whether fallen angels can be reconciled. Anselm argues that the logic of redemption restricts it to humans alone.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 12493 words
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 1519 words
Anselm sets the stage for a profound inquiry, urging the soul to set aside distractions and seek God. He establishes that faith must precede understanding, preparing the reader for a journey of contemplative reason.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 2798 words
In this chapter, Anselm wrestles with the apparent tension between God's justice and mercy, seeking to show how compassion flows from supreme goodness and justice. He then turns to the soul's longing to grasp the infinite God, who exceeds all conception.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 3416 words
This chapter explores the boundless joys of eternal life and the nature of God's wisdom. It contrasts the fulfillment of all desires in heaven with the perplexing questions about God's methods of salvation.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 4762 words
Chapter 4 examines the argument that God was bound to contest the devil in justice before using strength, questioning the devil's supposed rights over humanity.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 1995 words
This chapter defines sin as failing to give God due honor, arguing that such dishonor demands either satisfaction or punishment. Anselm explores why God cannot simply forgive without restoring justice.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 2839 words
Anselm explores the number of the elect and the necessity of satisfaction for sin. He argues that more men will be saved than angels fell, and that sin cannot be forgiven without proportionate reparation.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 31025 words
This chapter examines the depth of humanity's debt to God and the impossibility of repaying it through our own efforts. Anselm presses Boso to see that even the smallest sin against God's will carries infinite weight, leaving no room for self-justification.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 4832 words
This chapter explores the necessity of a God-man for salvation, born of a virgin, who cannot sin and dies voluntarily. Anselm and Boso reason through the requirements of atonement, preparing to see how these conditions are met.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 5840 words
This chapter explores the necessity of a voluntary, sacrificial death for atonement and the infinite value of the God-man's life. It also considers the fittingness of his humanity and the scope of his redemptive work.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 6876 words
Anselm clarifies that Christ's death was not compelled but freely chosen, and begins to explain how the reward for this sacrifice is transferred to humanity.
- ### CHAPTER X, Part 7161 words
This chapter contrasts divine compassion with the limits of reason. Anselm argues that while God offers His Son for humanity, fallen angels cannot be saved. The reasoning hinges on the impossibility of a God-angel.
- ## OR DISCOURSE ON THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, Part 1519 words
- The Necessity of the God-Man855 words
Faith seeks understanding. This chapter invites us to contemplate God as the greatest conceivable being, wrestling with the paradoxes of justice and compassion that arise from His nature.
- The Atonement and Its Implications1339 words
This chapter explores the nature of sin as a failure to honor God and the necessity of satisfaction or punishment. Anselm argues that God cannot simply forgive without compensation, setting the stage for the need for a divine solution.
- The Necessity of the God-Man855 words
Related works
Later works building on this
- Summa Theologiae: A Coltiva Selection
Anselmus staat aan het begin van een scholastieke stijl waarin geloof zoekt te begrijpen; Aquinas maakt die stijl groot, systematisch en breed.
Maybe next
- Itinerarium Mentis in Deum
Anselmus zoekt God met gebed en argument; Bonaventura laat de zoektocht overgaan in een mystieke reis van de geest.
Thematic kin
- On the Incarnation of the Word
Anselmus' redenering over Cur Deus Homo wordt rijker naast Athanasius, waar dezelfde kernvraag minder scholastiek en meer kosmisch klinkt.