Anslem

Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) once described himself as someone with faith seeking understanding. In words addressed to God he says: 'I long to understand in some degree thy truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but believe in order to understand.' "St Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was one of the greatest Christian writers of Medieval Europe. Although best known as the inventor of the famous 'ontological argument' for God's existence, his writings cover all chief aspects of Christian doctrine and have been a major influence on western theology." "Equal to Anselm's theology are his spiritual writings, which are alive with an understanding of the gentleness and mercy of a God who comes to meet humanity in its suffering and striving." "In this study, Dr Evans explores the full range of Anselm's works, placing both the theology and the devotional writings in context for the modern reader."--Jacket Table of contents : Editorial foreword vii Preface ix Anselm's works xi Abbreviations xiii 1 Anselm's life, Anselm's world 1 2 The man of prayer 27 3 Doing theology 37 4 The being of God 49 5 Trinity 56 6 The introduction of sin and evil 67 7 Why God became man 71 8 *A most famous question' 84 9 Sacraments: the Church and salvation 96 Conclusion 106 St Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was one of the greatest Christian writers of medieval Europe. Although best known as the inventor of the famous 'ontological argument' for God's existence, his writings cover all the chief aspects of Christian doctrine and have been a major influence on western theology. In this exceptional study, Evans explores the two sides of St. Anselm of Canterbury's work, demonstrating that prayer formed the foundations for the soaring structures of his reasoning.