Introduction to Scholastic Theology

There are a number of overviews of scholastic philosophy in print, all of which focus either on one stream of thought, one denomination, or one time period. With this book, distinguished historian of philosophy Ulrich Leinsle offers the first comprehensive introduction to scholastic theology — a textbook for both Protestant and Catholic students.

Leinsle works with a wide concept of scholasticism and therefore includes systematic theological thought from the Fathers of the church until Leo XIII. Scholasticism for Leinsle is not a label for certain characteristics or a specific time period. Rather, it is a term used to cover a variety of theological methods and concepts.

Reading Introduction to Scholastic Theology is an exciting adventure, as it guides readers through the beginnings of scholastic theology in the works of the Fathers, on to Early Scholasticism, High Scholasticism, scholastic thought in a time of paradigm shifts (14 - 15th century) and its fate during Humanism and Reformation, to the beginnings of the Enlightenment, and Neo-Scholasticism in the nineteenth century. The book treats these time periods by pointing to specific theological and philosophical problems, methods, and persons. Since Leinsle is a philosopher, he approaches the selected theologians with a refreshingly different and interesting perspective.

Since its original publication in German, Leinsle's book has been required reading in most seminars on the history of theological thought. This new edition provides an up-to-date, ecumenical introduction to the method of scholastic thought that will enable readers to grasp the richness and colorfulness of these many theological systems.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ulrich Leinsle is chair of philosophy in the Theology Department at the University of Regensburg. He holds one doctorate in philosophy and one in theology, and is the author of numerous works published in German.


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:


"Leinsle's superb Introduction to Scholastic Theology, which has already become the standard book in Germany on the diverse ecumenical landscape of Scholasticism, will provide students and academics with great insight into its different methods and approaches. It is a 'must have' on every theologian and philosopher's bookshelf."—Ulrich L. Lehner, Marquette University


"This masterful work offers a profound, perfectly balanced, and quite exhaustive outline of scholastic theology from its medieval beginnings to the end of the so called second scholastic toward the close of the 18th century. Leinsle's work represents an original and very impressive contribution to the history of ideas of our civilization. With regard to the very rich and well-arranged material it contains, it offers students and scholars a quick glimpse of many sub-topics as well."—Stanislav Sousedík, Univerzita Karlova v Praze

"The work’s most remarkable feature is its attention not only to the familiar figures and movements of High Scholasticism but also to the gradual "genetic" development of scholastic approaches from the early medieval to early modern periods. This volume will be of interest to students and teachers of medieval and early modern theology alike, and it will make a valuable addition to university libraries and personal collections." Religious Studies Review

1101106552
Introduction to Scholastic Theology

There are a number of overviews of scholastic philosophy in print, all of which focus either on one stream of thought, one denomination, or one time period. With this book, distinguished historian of philosophy Ulrich Leinsle offers the first comprehensive introduction to scholastic theology — a textbook for both Protestant and Catholic students.

Leinsle works with a wide concept of scholasticism and therefore includes systematic theological thought from the Fathers of the church until Leo XIII. Scholasticism for Leinsle is not a label for certain characteristics or a specific time period. Rather, it is a term used to cover a variety of theological methods and concepts.

Reading Introduction to Scholastic Theology is an exciting adventure, as it guides readers through the beginnings of scholastic theology in the works of the Fathers, on to Early Scholasticism, High Scholasticism, scholastic thought in a time of paradigm shifts (14 - 15th century) and its fate during Humanism and Reformation, to the beginnings of the Enlightenment, and Neo-Scholasticism in the nineteenth century. The book treats these time periods by pointing to specific theological and philosophical problems, methods, and persons. Since Leinsle is a philosopher, he approaches the selected theologians with a refreshingly different and interesting perspective.

Since its original publication in German, Leinsle's book has been required reading in most seminars on the history of theological thought. This new edition provides an up-to-date, ecumenical introduction to the method of scholastic thought that will enable readers to grasp the richness and colorfulness of these many theological systems.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ulrich Leinsle is chair of philosophy in the Theology Department at the University of Regensburg. He holds one doctorate in philosophy and one in theology, and is the author of numerous works published in German.


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:


"Leinsle's superb Introduction to Scholastic Theology, which has already become the standard book in Germany on the diverse ecumenical landscape of Scholasticism, will provide students and academics with great insight into its different methods and approaches. It is a 'must have' on every theologian and philosopher's bookshelf."—Ulrich L. Lehner, Marquette University


"This masterful work offers a profound, perfectly balanced, and quite exhaustive outline of scholastic theology from its medieval beginnings to the end of the so called second scholastic toward the close of the 18th century. Leinsle's work represents an original and very impressive contribution to the history of ideas of our civilization. With regard to the very rich and well-arranged material it contains, it offers students and scholars a quick glimpse of many sub-topics as well."—Stanislav Sousedík, Univerzita Karlova v Praze

"The work’s most remarkable feature is its attention not only to the familiar figures and movements of High Scholasticism but also to the gradual "genetic" development of scholastic approaches from the early medieval to early modern periods. This volume will be of interest to students and teachers of medieval and early modern theology alike, and it will make a valuable addition to university libraries and personal collections." Religious Studies Review

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Introduction to Scholastic Theology

Introduction to Scholastic Theology

Introduction to Scholastic Theology

Introduction to Scholastic Theology

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Overview

There are a number of overviews of scholastic philosophy in print, all of which focus either on one stream of thought, one denomination, or one time period. With this book, distinguished historian of philosophy Ulrich Leinsle offers the first comprehensive introduction to scholastic theology — a textbook for both Protestant and Catholic students.

Leinsle works with a wide concept of scholasticism and therefore includes systematic theological thought from the Fathers of the church until Leo XIII. Scholasticism for Leinsle is not a label for certain characteristics or a specific time period. Rather, it is a term used to cover a variety of theological methods and concepts.

Reading Introduction to Scholastic Theology is an exciting adventure, as it guides readers through the beginnings of scholastic theology in the works of the Fathers, on to Early Scholasticism, High Scholasticism, scholastic thought in a time of paradigm shifts (14 - 15th century) and its fate during Humanism and Reformation, to the beginnings of the Enlightenment, and Neo-Scholasticism in the nineteenth century. The book treats these time periods by pointing to specific theological and philosophical problems, methods, and persons. Since Leinsle is a philosopher, he approaches the selected theologians with a refreshingly different and interesting perspective.

Since its original publication in German, Leinsle's book has been required reading in most seminars on the history of theological thought. This new edition provides an up-to-date, ecumenical introduction to the method of scholastic thought that will enable readers to grasp the richness and colorfulness of these many theological systems.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ulrich Leinsle is chair of philosophy in the Theology Department at the University of Regensburg. He holds one doctorate in philosophy and one in theology, and is the author of numerous works published in German.


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:


"Leinsle's superb Introduction to Scholastic Theology, which has already become the standard book in Germany on the diverse ecumenical landscape of Scholasticism, will provide students and academics with great insight into its different methods and approaches. It is a 'must have' on every theologian and philosopher's bookshelf."—Ulrich L. Lehner, Marquette University


"This masterful work offers a profound, perfectly balanced, and quite exhaustive outline of scholastic theology from its medieval beginnings to the end of the so called second scholastic toward the close of the 18th century. Leinsle's work represents an original and very impressive contribution to the history of ideas of our civilization. With regard to the very rich and well-arranged material it contains, it offers students and scholars a quick glimpse of many sub-topics as well."—Stanislav Sousedík, Univerzita Karlova v Praze

"The work’s most remarkable feature is its attention not only to the familiar figures and movements of High Scholasticism but also to the gradual "genetic" development of scholastic approaches from the early medieval to early modern periods. This volume will be of interest to students and teachers of medieval and early modern theology alike, and it will make a valuable addition to university libraries and personal collections." Religious Studies Review


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780813217925
Publisher: The Catholic University of America Press
Publication date: 11/01/2010
Edition description: New
Pages: 408
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ulrich Leinsle is chair of philosophy in the Theology Department at the University of Regensburg. He holds one doctorate in philosophy and one in theology, and is the author of numerous works published in German.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations ix

Introduction: What Is Scholastic Theology? 1

1 On the history of the concept "Scholasticism" 1

2 Attempts at a definition 5

3 Characteristics 9

4 Scholastic theology 12

1 How Did Scholastic Theology Come About? 16

1 Patristic themes and methods 16

1.1 Philosophy and theology 16

1.2 Auctoritas and ratio 20

1.3 Augustine's program of Christian education and theology 24

1.4 Systematic and axiomatic theology: Boethius 28

1.5 Collections of sentences: Isidore of Seville 31

2 Scholastic theology: Methods and presentation 33

2.1 Development of the schools, curriculum, and the liberal arts 34

2.2 Instructional procedure 39

2.3 The Bible and Scholastic theology 43

2.4 Collections of sentences and Summas 54

2.5 Theological systematization 59

2.6 Treatise and letter 65

2.7 The Scholastic sermon 68

2 The Self-Concept of Early Scholastic Theologies 74

1 Freedom from contradiction and theological truth: Duns Scotus Eriugena 74

2 Faith seeking understanding: Anselm of Canterbury 78

3 Systematic treatment of patristic sentences: The school of Laon 82

4 Theology as wisdom and way of life: Hugh of St. Victor 86

5 Theology as linguistic criticism: Peter Abelard 90

6 The metaphysical grammar of discourse about God: Gilbert Porreta 94

7 The textbook: The Sentences of Peter Lombard 98

8 Axiomatic theology 102

9 Towards a standard theological language 107

10 Scholastic and monastic theology 111

11 Learned heresy 115

3 Theology as a Science at the University 120

1 The university as the home of theology 120

1.1 University organization, teaching activity, and presentational forms 120

1.2 The mendicant orders at the universities 124

1.3 Biblical or systematic theology? 126

2 Aristotle as a challenge to theology 131

2.1 A new scientific model 131

2.2 A pagan view of the world and man 133

2.3 The influence of non-Christian syntheses 136

2.4 The Church's reaction: The prohibition of Aristotle 138

2.5 Theological truth and the truths of the natural sciences 141

2.6 The condemnations of 1270 and 1277 144

3 The scientific character of theology 147

3.1 Faith and argument: William of Auxerre 147

3.2 Between Bible and science: The early Dominicans 149

3.3 Salvation history or metaphysics: The Summa Halensis 154

3.4 Presuppositions and goal of theological science: Albert the Great 158

3.5 Theology as science and wisdom in Christ: Bonaventure 162

3.6 A proof of scientific character? Thomas Aquinas 167

3.7 The Franciscan reaction: William de la Mare 171

3.8 Immunization through "enlightenment": Henry of Ghent 175

3.9 Augustinian or Aristotelian science? Ægidius Romanus 179

4 Theological Controversy and Church Reform 182

1 Scholastic theology amid societal upheaval 182

1.1 The development of academic study 182

1.2 Formation of schools and the dispute about the two ways 187

1.3 Theology, Church, and society: Wycliffe and Hus 193

1.4 Toward a biblical and affective theology: Johannes Gerson 199

1.5 University theology and spiritual direction for aristocratic ladies: Vienna 203

1.6 Scholastic criticism of devotio moderna and Reform theology 207

2 Theological certainty in an uncertain age? 210

2.1 Human action in the knowledge of God: Duns Scotus 210

2.2 Assuring human statements about God: Francis of Meyronnes 214

2.3 Axiomatic metaphysics as the foundation of theology: Meister Eckhart 218

2.4 What can we know? William of Ockham 222

2.5 Propositional logic of the faith: Robert Holcot 227

2.6 What can we do? Gregory of Rimini 231

2.7 God's knowledge and human freedom: Marsilius of Inghen 234

2.8 How do I find a gracious God? Gabriel Biel 238

5 Humanist and Reformation Theology 243

1 University, humanism, and Reformation 243

1.1 Reformatio studii: Wish and reality 243

1.2 Biblical-humanist reform of theology: Erasmus of Rotterdam 247

1.3 University theology and Reformation: Disputatio 250

2 Approach to theology in Reformed Christianity 255

2.1 "Contra scholasticam theologiam": Martin Luther 255

2.2 The new "Summa": Melanchthon's "Loci theologici" 260

2.3 Summa of self-knowledge and practical knowledge about God: Calvin 264

3 The Catholic understanding of theology 268

3.1 Humanist reform of Scholasticism and controversy: Johannes Eck 268

3.2 Cajetan and the new Thomism 272

6 Scholastic Theology: Early Modern Period 277

1 Development and presentational forms 277

1.1 The university as a territorial and confessional institution for education 278

1.2 Catholic theology after the Council of Trent 280

1.3 Scholastic and positive theology 286

1.4 The development of schools of Catholic theology 290

1.5 Presentational forms 294

2 The "Scholasticism" of Protestant orthodoxy 298

2.1 From creed to theological system 299

2.2 Concept of theology in early Lutheran Orthodoxy: Johann Gerhard 302

2.3 Anti-Scholastic "Scholasticism": Abraham Calov 306

2.4 Theology in one sentence: Johann Adam Scherzer 311

2.5 Theology within the framework of the encyclopedia: Johann Heinrich Alsted 315

2.6 Reformed "Cartesian Scholasticism": Christoph Wittich 319

3 God and modern man: The debate about grace 323

3.1 Man as a free instrument of God: Francisco Suárez 323

3.2 Natural morality or the effect of grace? Gabriel Vázquez 327

3.3 God's decision and man's freedom: Bartolomeo Mastri 331

3.4 God's knowledge dependent on free human beings: Rodrigo de Arriaga 334

3.5 Thomistic opposition to the scientia media: Jean-Baptiste Gonet 338

3.6 Causal-metaphysical predetermination of the will: Ludwig Babenstuber 342

4 The difficult assimilation of the new 346

4.1 Caramuel and the Galileo case 346

4.2 Cartesian teaching on the Eucharist: Robert Desgabets 348

4.3 Eclectic theology: Eusebius Amort 351

7 Prospect: Enlightenment and New Scholasticism 354

Bibliography 361

Index of Names 387

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