Important Theologians (11th-16th Century) Flashcards
Anselm of Canterbury
late 11th century Abbot of Bec (Normandy) and Archbishop of Canterbury, famous for his rational defense of the incarnation (Cur Deus homo, “Why God Became Human,” the first sustained analysis and explication of the theory of substitutionary atonement), the ontological proof of God’s existence, and a number of other positions. [P-c/p-p on “How Christ Redeemed Us;” Source Reading: “Meditation on Human Redemption”]
Abelard
brilliant theologian/logician associated with the schools of Paris in the early 12th century. He greatly influenced the developing scholastic method by his book Sic et Non (“Yes and No”) which on particular doctrinal issues set authorities side-by-side, thereby showing discrepancies in the tradition. He was eventually condemned for doctrinal issues late in life. Among other contributions (even liturgical pieces), he is known for his alternate theory of redemption (the “Example of Divine Love”) and his (in)famous love affair with the aristocrat Heloise. [P-c/p-p “How Christ Redeemed Us;” PDF “New Schools, New Tools, etc.”; Source Reading]
The School of St. Victor
group of influential theologians, biblical commentators, liturgical composers, and mystical writers associated with the school of the Abby of Saint Victor (originally canons regular of the Augustinian Order) in Paris in the 12th century, soon to form the founding collection of schools which becomes the University of Paris. The two most famous and influential were Hugh and Richard. [Source reading: Richard of St. Victor; Ozment, pp.89-90]
Peter Lombard
12th century student of Peter Abelard; wrote the influential Four Books of Sentences (Sententiae I-IV) which became the standard medieval schoolbook of University scholasticism up until the Reformation. [PDF “New Schools, New Tools, New Fools, New Rules”]
Albertus Magnus
Dominican scholastic theologian with interests in Science and Aristotle; teacher/mentor of Thomas Aquinas in both Cologne and Paris.
Bonaventure
(d. 1274) greatest of the early Franciscan theologians, a Parisian scholastic as well as mystical writer; administrative head of the Franciscan Order as it transitioned to a less radical character allowing scholars and possessions. He became known as the “Seraphic Teacher.” [Ozment, pp.102-3, 121-7]
Thomas Aquinas
d. 1274) greatest of the Dominican scholastic theologians, famous for his integration of Aristotelian philosophy into Christian theology issuing in systematic form; considered by many to be the greatest of the Medieval theologians. Thomas was known as the Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Universalis and Doctor Communis (“Angelic Teacher,” “Universal Teacher”). [PDF “New Schools/Tools/Rules/Fools;” PDF “Late Medieval Theology;” Source reading]
Duns Scotus
(d. 1308) Scots/Irish Franciscan theologian, taught at both Oxford and Paris; known as the “The Subtle Doctor” for the subtlety and nuance of his thought, Scotus was known, among other things, for stressing God’s will as the
focal point of interaction with the world/humanity in creation and redemption, hence one of covenantal relations. (He is enshrined in our language in the word “dunce,” which means a stupid person, showing how far a word can evolve over time!) [PDF “New Schools/Tools/Rules/Fool;” PDF “Late Medieval Theology”]
William of Ockham (or, Occam)
(died ca.1348) another English Franciscan, who both radicalized Scotus’s convenantal viewpoint as well as making nominalism a major philosophical and theological movement in the church, one which became very influential in the late Middle Ages; he opposed Pope John XXII on doctrinal and church order issues, and had to take refuge with the German Emperor for protection. Ockham wrote extensively on theology, logic, natural science, and political science. Known as both the Venerabilis Inceptor (“worthy beginner,” since he never completed his master’s degree) and “Invincible Doctor.” [PDF “New Schools/Tools/Rules/Fools;” PDF on Late Medieval Theology]
Gregory of Rimini
(d.1358) great Augustinian teacher/scholastic, who stressed the authentic positions of Augustine such as predestination, hence was known as Doctor authenticus (the “Authentic Teacher;” his maintaining the Augustinian position that un-baptized infants will go to hell earned him the nickname Doctor tortor infantium, “Professor Torturer of Infants”).
Thomas Bradwardine
English theologian, logician, and mathematician; briefly Archbishop of Canterbury before dying of the Plague (d. 1349); wrote a strongly Augustinian attack on contemporary “pelagianizing” theology (probably Occamists), but also famous in history of science, logic, and math for crucial contributions (he was one of the first to argue for an infinite void for the universe). He was known as the “Profound Teacher.”
Gabriel Biel
influential 15th century German professor of theology and pastor/preacher. He was deeply influenced early in life by the Brethren of the Common Life (aka the Modern Devotion), and who represented late Medieval nominalism as a practical and pastoral theology. Luther knew his work intimately in his early training, as did many of Luther’s theological opponents, such as John Eck.
