Cur Deus Homo

The masterwork of Saint Anselm, Cur Deus Homo asks the essential question of theology - "Why was God a Man?" Written by Anselm in the midst of his spiritual life and contemplation, Anselm attempts to answer this question with a reasoned discussion of the Christian canon. God's incarnation in the form of Jesus Christ is investigated, with the Biblical sources examined and discussed at length. The mission of Christ as a manifest teacher without sin, and his birth in an ordinary village in Palestine, is closely detailed by the studied Anselm. Saint Anselm eventually arrives at the conclusion that while man is an imperfect and sinful being without the ability to fully devote himself to God, God himself possesses the essential power and ability to place himself among and die for mankind in a bid for humanity to live for Him. It is thus that Anselm arrives at the 'satisfaction theory of atonement'.

The masterwork of Saint Anselm, Cur Deus Homo asks the essential question of theology - "Why was God a Man?" Written by Anselm in the midst of his spiritual life and contemplation, Anselm attempts to answer this question with a reasoned discussion of the Christian canon. God's incarnation in the form of Jesus Christ is investigated, with the Biblical sources examined and discussed at length. The mission of Christ as a manifest teacher without sin, and his birth in an ordinary village in Palestine, is closely detailed by the studied Anselm. Saint Anselm eventually arrives at the conclusion that while man is an imperfect and sinful being without the ability to fully devote himself to God, God himself possesses the essential power and ability to place himself among and die for mankind in a bid for humanity to live for Him. It is thus that Anselm arrives at the 'satisfaction theory of atonement'.

Cur Deus Homo (""Why God was a Man"") was written from 1095 to 1098 once Anselm was already archbishop of Canterbury and discusses the Incarnation. It takes the form of a dialogue between Anselm and Boso, one of his students. Its core is a purely rational argument for the necessity of the Christian mystery of atonement, the belief that Jesus's crucifixion was necessary to atone for mankind's sin.

Cur Deus Homo (""Why God was a Man"") was written from 1095 to 1098 once Anselm was already archbishop of Canterbury and discusses the Incarnation. It takes the form of a dialogue between Anselm and Boso, one of his students. Its core is a purely rational argument for the necessity of the Christian mystery of atonement, the belief that Jesus's crucifixion was necessary to atone for mankind's sin.