Anselm

Anselm (1033-1109), archbishop of Canterbury was the first to set forth a systematic argument for the necessity of Christ's atoning death on the cross. His Cur Deus Homo? (1094-1098) attempted to provide rational explanations for the Christians belief in the atonement in dialectic form. The treatise presents a discussion between Anselm and one Boso (abbot of Bec; 1124-1136), with whom Anselm had much contact and correspondence, and who is said by Anselm to be "the one who among the rest presses me more urgently to debate with me," (Cur, I.1). Anselm seeks to respond to "many earnest requests that I should commit to writing the proofs of a particular doctrine of our faith," namely: "For what reason or necessity did God become man and, as we believe and confess, by his death restore life to the world, when he could have done this through another person (angelic or human), or even by a sheer act of will?" (I.1)

Cur Deus Homo? is divided into two books, the first of which "contains the objections of unbelievers who reject the Christian faith because they regard it as contrary to reason, along with the answers of believers. It ends by proving by necessary reasons (Christ being put out of sight, as if nothing had ever been known of him) that it is impossible for any man to be saved without him. In the same way, as if nothing were known of Christ, it is shown in the second book, by equally clear reasoning and truth, that human nature was created in order that hereafter the whole man, body and soul, should enjoy a blessed immortality. It is proved that it is necessary for this purpose for which man was made to be achieved, but only through a Man-God, and so that all the things we believe concerning Christ must necessarily take place." (Cur, Preface)

Book One consists of twenty-five chapters, and Book Two of twenty-two. Anselm himself provided the chapter headings for the sake of further clarification of each chapter's contents. Therefore, this paper will not present an outline of the treatise's content. Instead, various prominent elements of Anselm's argument and theology will be examined. The paper will conclude with a brief critique of Anselm's work.