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| Anselm's - Cur Deus Homo |
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[Why God became Man]
The first part of this book was copied without my knowledge, before the work had been completed and revised. I have therefore been obliged to finish it as best I could, more hurriedly and so more briefly than I wished. Had more time been allowed before publishing, it I would have introduced and included many other things that will now have to go unmentioned. I began this book in England during a period of great personal turmoil and stress (the reasons of which are known to God) at the encouragement of others and finished it when in exile in Capra. I have called it 'Cur Deus Homo' [Why God became Man], which is the theme of the work, and have divided it into two short books. The first contains the objections of non-believers, who object to the Christian faith because they consider that it is not based on reason, and the reply of believers. In fact it is reasoned from a before Christ point of view (that assumes nothing of Christ). It proves through reason that it is impossible to be saved without Christ. In the second book (also written as if nothing were known of Christ), it is shown by plain reasoning and fact that human nature was ordained for the purpose of enjoying a happy immortality in body and soul. It is shown that not only was it necessary that the purpose for which man as made should be fulfilled but also that it could not be fulfilled unless God became man, and all the things and events we believe in regard to Christ actually take place. I request all who wish to copy this book add this brief preface, with the chapter headings of the whole work, at the beginning, for the sake of who ever finds themselves in possession of it, so that as they look at the beginning, there may be nothing in the whole body of the work that escapes their notice. Anselm
Book-1 Chapter Headings
Ch-1 The question on which the whole works rests Ch-2 How to receive the things that will be said Ch-3 The objections of unbelievers and replies of believers Ch-4 How these things appear indecisive to unbelievers, just like so many pictures Ch-5 How the redemption of man could not be achieved by any other being but God Ch-6 How unbelievers find fault with us for saying that God has shown his love towards us through redeeming us by his death, and that he came to overcome the devil for us Ch-7 How the devil had no justice on his side against mankind, why it was that he seemed to have had it, and why God could have freed man because of this Ch-8 How it is that even though the acts of Christ's condescension which we speak of do not belong to his Divine nature, yet unbelievers still object to us attributing these things to his human nature, and why it appears to them that Christ did not suffer death of his own will Ch-9 How Christ died of his own accord, and what the Scripture means when it says he: '...humbled himself and became obedient to death... ,' and: '...Therefore God exalted him ...' and: 'I have come down from heaven not to do my will...' and God: '... did not spare his own Son...' and: '...may your will be done' Ch-10 Explanations on the same [and closely related] topics; and other ways to correctly explain them Ch-11 What it is to sin, and to make satisfaction for sin Ch-12 Whether it is right for God to put away sins out of compassion alone, without any payment of debt Ch-13 How from God's point of view the worst possible course of action was for the creature (mankind) to take honour due the Creator and not restore it Ch-14 How God's honour is consistent with the punishment of sinners Ch-15 Whether God allows his honour to be violated to the least degree Ch-16 The reason why the number of angels who fell must be made up from mankind Ch-17 How other angels cannot take the place of those who fell Ch-18 Ch-19 Ch-20 Ch-21 Ch-22 Ch-23 Ch-24 Ch-25
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