Faith Seeking Understanding: A Selection from the Writings of Anselm

Author: (Italian) Anselm of Canterbury
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: This book is a collection of selected works by Anselm of Canterbury, the father of medieval scholastic philosophy, including his three most important works: Monologion, Proslogion, and Why God Became Man. The first two works are companion pieces by Anselm on the proofs of the existence of God, particularly the proof in Proslogion, which came to be known as the "Ontological Argument" in later centuries and had an extremely profound influence on the history of Western thought. Why God Became Man is a comprehensive and systematic exposition of the doctrine of atonement in Christian theology, and this book is considered to have ushered in a new era in the history of the doctrine of atonement. Additionally, after the publication of Anselm's Proslogion, it was immediately criticized by the monk Gaunilo. In response to Gaunilo's criticism, Anselm wrote a defense, which we have translated in full and included as an appendix to Proslogion. All three works are translated from the original Latin, making them the most systematic introduction to Anselm's works in the Chinese academic field. Through these three works, we can both appreciate Anselm's deep affection and fervor for faith as a Christian theologian and his clarity and acuity as a philosopher.