Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 86 No. 1, 2016.
Review article
Anselm´s Theory of Atonement in the Work Cur Deus Homo
Filip Šabalja
Veronika Nela Gašpar
; Theology in Rijeka, Dislocated Studies of Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
The article reflects on Anselm´s understanding of salvation and it includes a special review of his work Cur Deus homo. Firstly, the main intention of Anselm´s theory of atonement is pointed out and evaluated positively. Despite positive sides and Anselm´s contribution to theology, the article draws attention to reductionism of such theology to a rational construction that loses the sight of the personal relationship with God. Anselm´s intellectus fidei sticks to its »necessary reasons« that overshadow the dynamism of faith understood as integral realisation of the relationship with God. This is particularly evident in the absence of the perspective of divinisation of the human being as an important New Testament teaching on salvation. According to most of those who are familiarised with Anselm´s philosophical-theological thought, this is the main reason why the whole theory of atonement left the impression of a very cold, juridical understanding of salvation.
Keywords
incarnation; salvation; atonement; sin; freedom; Anselm of Canterbury; Cur Deus homo
Hrčak ID:
158541
URI
Publication date:
25.5.2016.
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