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Introduction Book 1, Chapters 1 to 4
Chapter 1 Theme I have had many serious requests, both in person and by letter, to write down the proofs of a certain doctrine of our faith, which I usually give to those that inquire. They ask, not because they are trying to achieve faith through intellectual reasoning and understanding, but in order to have the joy of understanding and meditating on the things they believe; that as far as possible, they may fully incorporate them into their lives. This doctrine is an area that, non-believers regularly comment on, as they attempt to ridicule Christianity as simplistic and absurd. Many believers also like to consider in their hearts why it was necessary, to restore life to the world in this way; when God might have restored life, by means of some other being, angelic or human, or simply by a declaration of Divine will. Not only are wise people interested, but also many other everyday people are interested and are drawn to consider this subject seeking solutions for these matters. Though it seems quite difficult to investigate, the solutions can be understood by all, and the reasoning is attractive in both value and beauty. What the holy fathers and their successors have said should be sufficient, however I will take great care to reveal to inquirers the truth God has graciously laid open to me. It is gratifying that investigation by question and answer is easy to understand, especially by those of a less quick mind. Therefore, I will argue with one of those of a less quick mind that is interested in this subject (that is, the one, who urged me to write this). In other words [the format of this book is that] Boso will ask the questions and I Anselm will reply to them.
Book 1, Chapter 2
Chapter Theme Boso – The best approach is that we should first believe and accept the deep things of the Christian faith before we begin to apply reason and discuss them. Yet it seems to me that after we are established in the faith, it is neglectful if we do not seek to understand what we believe. I now have faith in our redemption, through God’s pre-ordained choice, and even if I am unable in any way to understand what I believe, still nothing could shake my belief. Therefore I ask that you reveal to me, what many others have requested, that is, why did God find it necessary and what motivated an omnipotent God to assume the weak limitations of human nature in order to renew it? Anselm – You ask a very high thing, and I am reluctant to attempt subjects so lofty in nature. If someone is not satisfied with my presentation it is possible he may prefer to believe I am misrepresenting the truth, rather than accept the truth that my intellect is not able to grasp it. Boso – Do not dwell on this fear, after all you remember that God often reveals what lays hidden by the process of discussion. Instead hope for the grace of God, for if you liberally impart the things you have freely received, you will be worthy to discover even higher things that you have not yet received. Anselm – There is also another thing that makes it difficult for us to comprehensively discuss this subject. There is a level of understanding and knowledge that is required in the areas of Power, Necessity, Will, and certain other subjects that are so related to one another that none can be fully examined without understanding the rest. The discussion of these topics requires a separate study. This study, though not very easy, in my opinion, is quite useful. Ignorance of these subjects makes certain things difficult to understand; however a good understanding of them greatly assists our comprehension. Boso – You can speak briefly in regard to these things, and put each in its place, that way we may have all that is required for the present objective. What still remains to be said can put off to another time. Anselm – The issue is not only that the subject is important, but it is one that is far above the children of mankind in the areas of form, wisdom, and intellect. As a result, I may find myself frustrated and angry (as sometimes happens) when I see sorry artists, paint our Lord himself as an unseemly figure. The same may also happen to me if I should agree to display so rich a theme in rough and vulgar words. Boso – Do not let this deter you either, because, as you allow someone a possibility to improve their speech, you allow others to write more elegantly, [and write a report that improves on your arguments and ideas] if your language does not please them. Please ignore all these excuses. Consider that you are fulfilling this request for me and those that ask the same questions, not the learned. Anselm – Since I see that you (and others) have a genuine faith and are seriously interested in these things, with God’s assistance and your prayers (that you have promised) I will try to the best of my ability. I do this not so much to make plain what you inquire about, as to inquire with you. But I wish all the things I say to be received with this understanding, that if there is anything I have said that a higher authority does not agree with, though I have appeared to demonstrate it by argument, it is not to be received with credibility, until God in some way makes the revelation clearer to me in the future. But even if I am able to satisfy your inquiry, it should be noted that a wiser person than I will be able to do this with more clarity. We must understand that for all that mankind can say or know, still deeper grounds of this great truth lie concealed. Boso – I hope you will excuse me if I use of the words of unbelievers; for it is appropriate as we seek to investigate the reasonableness of our faith to consider the objections of those that are completely unwilling to participate in our faith, without applying the use of reason. Even though they appeal to reason to defend their unbelief, we who do believe should also seek it. If you bring up anything in reply which Scriptural authority seems to oppose, let me be the one to press on until you solve the matter in question. Anselm – Speak on as you please.
Book 1, Chapter 3
Chapter Theme Boso – When unbelievers ridicule our simplicity, they do so because they consider that we dishonour God. They say this because among many other things we say that, God descended into the womb of a virgin and was born of woman, and that he grew on the nourishment of milk and the food of mankind. They object to the idea that Christ endured many other things that seem incompatible with Deity, namely that he endured fatigue, hunger, thirst, flogging and crucifixion among thieves. Anselm – We do no injustice or dishonour to God, but give him thanks with all our heart, praising and proclaiming the height of his compassion that is really too great for words to describe. For the most astonishing and unexpected thing it is, that he has restored us from the serious problems that we were in. God has restored back to us to the great and unmerited blessings that we had forfeited. In this and in many other ways he has shown his exceeding love and tenderness towards us. Unbelievers do not appreciate how appropriate and fitting this way of securing human redemption is. If they did they would not ridicule our simplicity, they would join with us in praising the wisdom and effective generosity of God, for just as death came upon the human race by the disobedience of man, it was fitting that our life of obedience be restored by a man. As the condemnation caused by sin had its origin from a woman, so the author of our righteousness and salvation should be born of a woman. It was also proper that the devil, who had conquered man by temptation, by having him eat of the fruit of the tree, should be defeated as a result of the suffering that was endured by man on the tree. Also if we carefully examine them, many other things give a certain indescribable beauty to our redemption that was gained in this way.
Book 1, Chapter 4
Chapter Theme Boso – These things I admit are beautiful, they are like so many pictures; but, if they have no solid foundation, unbelievers will not see them as sufficient reasons for believing that God wished to suffer the things that we speak of. For when one wishes to paint a picture, he selects some substantial material to paint on, so that his picture may remain. No one paints in water or in air, because no traces of the picture remain in them. Therefore, when we hold up to unbelievers these harmonious proportions which you speak of as so many pictures of the real thing, since they do not think this belief of ours a reality, but only a fiction, they consider us, as it were, to be painting upon a cloud. The rational existence of the truth must first be shown, by that I mean we need to show absolute proof that God should have or could have been a party to these things we affirm. After that, to allow the fullness of the truth to shine forth more clearly, we should describe the pictures of this truth, these reflective images of disaster and the glorious remedy God provided, which are so harmonious in their proportion. Anselm – The reason why God ought to do the things we speak of seems desperately urgent enough when we consider that the human race, God's precious work, [compared to perfection at the time of creation] was completely ruined, and that it was not right for God's purpose and reasons of creation to be frustrated and fall to the ground. An even more important point for us to consider is whether this purpose could be achieved in any other way, apart from the human race being delivered by the Divine Creator?
Paraphrased by -
P. I. Editor |
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