Anselm of Canterbury and the Search for God

John T. Slotemaker

This volume provides a broad interpretation of Anselm’s theological method through a study of his Monologion. The Monologion has been chosen specifically because of its rich and nuanced account of the search for the one God. Through a careful analysis of this text what becomes evident is that Anselm’s theological project is much broader than a single argument or a simple account of how divine justice and honor are appeased. What one encounters is a theology informed by the notion of the human desire for God and the honest search to come to know God in an intimate way. The Monologion, therefore, will present an entry point into Anselm’s theological project. The second half of the volume will examine the reception history of Anselm’s two most famous philosophical and theological contributions (i.e., the “ontological argument” and the “satisfaction theory”). Anselm is often misunderstood because his approach to theology is reduced to the “one argument” or a carefully construed calculus of human redemption—such readings of Anselm abound and often obscure the Benedictine context within which his thought developed—and so a careful reading of Anselm’s texts and the history of reception and interpretation will offer a counter narrative to the standard perception of one of the greatest thinkers of Christian history.

Lexington Books / Fortress Academic

Pages: 158 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-9787-0141-0 • Hardback • March 2018 • $95.00 • (£73.00)

978-1-9787-0142-7 • eBook • March 2018 • $90.00 • (£69.00)

Series: Mapping the Tradition

Subjects: Religion / Theology, Philosophy / Religious, Religion / History, Religion / Philosophy

Anselm of Canterbury and the Search for God

Hardback

eBook

Summary

This volume provides a broad interpretation of Anselm’s theological method through a study of his Monologion. The Monologion has been chosen specifically because of its rich and nuanced account of the search for the one God. Through a careful analysis of this text what becomes evident is that Anselm’s theological project is much broader than a single argument or a simple account of how divine justice and honor are appeased. What one encounters is a theology informed by the notion of the human desire for God and the honest search to come to know God in an intimate way. The Monologion, therefore, will present an entry point into Anselm’s theological project. The second half of the volume will examine the reception history of Anselm’s two most famous philosophical and theological contributions (i.e., the “ontological argument” and the “satisfaction theory”). Anselm is often misunderstood because his approach to theology is reduced to the “one argument” or a carefully construed calculus of human redemption—such readings of Anselm abound and often obscure the Benedictine context within which his thought developed—and so a careful reading of Anselm’s texts and the history of reception and interpretation will offer a counter narrative to the standard perception of one of the greatest thinkers of Christian history.

Details

Lexington Books / Fortress Academic

Pages: 158 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-9787-0141-0 • Hardback • March 2018 • $95.00 • (£73.00)

978-1-9787-0142-7 • eBook • March 2018 • $90.00 • (£69.00)

Series: Mapping the Tradition

Subjects: Religion / Theology, Philosophy / Religious, Religion / History, Religion / Philosophy

Author

John T. Slotemaker is associate professor of medieval Christianity at Fairfield University.

Table of Contents

Part I: The Monologion
Chapter 1: Reason and the Existence of God
Chapter 2: The Divine Essence and Attributes
Chapter 3: The Divine Trinity
Chapter 4: The Image of God: Love, Hope, and Faith
Coda: Augustine and Anselm
Part II: Anselmian Reception
Chapter 5: God: The Medieval Reception
Chapter 6: God: The Modern Reception
Chapter 7: Human Redemption
Chapter 8: Faith Seeking Understanding

Reviews

Anselm advised that whoever wanted to understand his Proslogion or Cur Deus Homo should
first read his Monologion. This would also be beneficial advice for you: if you want to understand
any work of Anselm, first read John Slotemaker's present reflection on the Monologion.
— Stephen F. Brown, Boston College

Slotemaker’s volume is a nuanced and concise account of Anselm’s theology, especially on the Trinity, and an insightful overview of the complex and controversial reception of Anselm’s thought, raising provocative questions about theological method and historiography.
— Eileen Sweeney, Boston College

John Slotemaker takes the reader on a detailed and engaging account of one of the most important thinkers from the Middle Ages. Opening windows onto the key aspects of Anselm’s theological vision, his thought on the Trinity, the doctrine of God, Redemption and Creation, this well structured and paced study is as enjoyable as it is instructive. The emphasis on Anselm’s inheritance from Augustine, as well as elucidating the long influence that Anselm’s works held for Christian thinkers since the twelfth century, give a fascinating and satisfying scope to the study. Anselm’s unbending desire for God is placed, by Slotemaker, in a rich and accessible context.
— Giles Gasper, Durham University, UK

Anselm of Canterbury and the Search for God

John T. Slotemaker

Anselm of Canterbury and the Search for God

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