LAKE JAMES
NORTH CAROLINA
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LAKE JAMES NORTH CAROLINA
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Saint Anselm, Archbishop and Scholar
Born in Italy in 1033, at the
age of 27, he became a monk in Normandy where he came under the influence of the
great scholar and abbot, Lanfranc, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury. In
1063, Anselm succeeded
Lanfranc first as Prior of the Abbey of Bec and
in 1093, as Archbishop of Canterbury. His episcopate was marked by continual
conflicts with the king over the rights and freedom of the Church. Anselm is best known for his “ontological argument” for the existence of God. That approach is based on the premise that “God is that which nothing greater can be thought.” God must exist, otherwise one could not speak of “God” at all for, if He did not, God would not be that than which nothing greater can be thought. Since the greatest thing that can be thought must have existence as one of its properties, Anselm taught that “God” can be said to exist in reality as well as in the intellect, but is not dependent upon the material world for verification. Thus, faith in God need not be contrary to Human reason. Anselm’s theology is a profound piety. His spirituality is best summarized in the phrase “faith seeking understanding.” He wrote: “I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe in order that I may understand. For this, too, I believe, that unless I first believe, I shall not understand.” Anselm died on April 21st, 1109 at the age of seventy six. [Adapted from various sources by A. T. K. Z.+]
A Collect for the Feast of Saint Anselm, Archbishop Almighty God, you raised up your servant Anselm to teach the Church of his day to understand its faith in your eternal Being, perfect justice, and saving mercy: Provide your Church in every age with devout and learned scholars and teachers, that we may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. -------------- To learn more about Saint Anselm from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, click here.
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This page last modified on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:02 PM |
