Category Archives: medieval

Anselm on the Incarnation

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

In the late eleventh century, a famous theologian wrote a book called: Cur deus homo (usually translated as Why God Became a Man).  Born in Aosta in modern northern Italy in 1033, Anselm left his home in the late 1050s … Continue reading →

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The Foolishness of the Cross

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18 Based on St Paul’s text, Geoffrey Babion, a … Continue reading →

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The Price of Satisfaction: Bernard of Clairvaux’s View of Redemption

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

“You lived, O man, in darkness and the shadow of death through ignorance of the truth; you were a prisoner and your sins were your shackles.  He [Jesus] came down to you in your prison, not to torture you but … Continue reading →

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The Art of Love

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“The art of arts is the art of love.  Nature, and God, the Author of nature, has reserved to himself the teaching of it.  Love itself has been planted [in us] by the Creator of nature; so if its natural … Continue reading →

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The Suffering of the Blessed Virgin

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“Therefore, this holy Virgin was a true martyr during these three days, and they were much harder for her than the external pain and torture was for any other saint.  She was in anxiety because of her Son that she … Continue reading →

Posted in depression, Martin Luther, martyrdom, Mary, medieval, preaching | Leave a comment

Who Can Marvel Enough?

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“An angel announces, power overshadows, and the Spirit startles; the Virgin believes, by faith the Virgin conceives, the Virgin gives birth, the Virgin remains a virgin: who would not marvel? Then is the Son of the Most High born, God, … Continue reading →

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Pride Goes Before Destruction

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“Pride goeth before destruction and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 (Douay-Rheims) Pride (superbia) was the foundation of all sin in medieval piety and theology.  A concept well-established on the Bible and the Church Fathers, pride … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, medieval, pride | 1 Comment

The Annunciation and Fishing

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“On this holy day the Incarnation of Christ is announced through the angel, just as today is celebrated devoutly by the entire Church.  It is read that on that day and at the same hour at which the first man … Continue reading →

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Exaltation of the Cross

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“God, who deigned to redeem the human race through the precious blood of Thy only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, graciously grant that whoever approaches to adore the life-giving cross, may be freed from the bonds of their sins.” [My … Continue reading →

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The Foundations of Understanding

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Tender years should first be instructed in rules of the art or grammar, in analogies, in barbarisms, in solecisms, in tropes and schemata.  These are the studies on which Donatus, Servius, Priscian, Isidore, Bede, and Cassiodorus expounded with much diligence, … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, liberal arts, medieval, teaching | Leave a comment