Anselm, Father of Scholasticism

Relations between the Church that is in England, and the Church that is in Rome, have been strained since Gregory the Great saw his first Anglo. Kings in England are notorious for their historic efforts to control whom exactly is installed as Archbishop of Canterbury. William the Conqueror, then known as King William I, gave problems to the Archbishop of Canterbury, by continuously mucking about in church affairs.

William I, aka William the Conqueror, died in 1087. The Archbishop of Canterbury died in 1089. His name was Lanfranc. King William Rufus left the see of Canterbury empty so he could collect the revenues himself.

Meanwhile, in a monastery in France, called Bec, there was a prior named Anselm. Along with his duties as prior of a monastery, Anselm wrote the Monologion, which is a restating of all the logical arguments he could find written by someone else, that proved God's existence. A significant task. But he did yet more. The Prosologion is a set of his own proofs of God's existence and attributes. To this day college students read the Prosologion in philosophy classes. And, just in case you thought he might be lazy, he also wrote essays on truth, free will, origin of evil, and even on the art of reasoning.

Insignifcant man, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Break off from your cares and troubles, and be less concerned about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God and rest a while in Him.

Enter into your mind's inner chamber. Shurt out everything but God and whatever helps you to seek Him; and when you have shut the door look for him. Speak now to God and say with your whole heart: "I seek your face; your face, Lord, I desire."

That is from the Prosologion, and what a lovely statement it is. Anselm did a number of important things, so tomorrow will be devoted to him also.