Open Access

Vortrag im Rahmen des Kontaktstudiums "GOTT UND GELD" der Theologischen Fakultät Fulda am 15. November 2011

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Introduction 1. Blumenberg's Critique of Anselm's Ontological Argument 1.1 The Ontological Argument as a Proof of the Existence of God 1.2 Two Incompatible "Definitions" of God 1.3 Other Objections Against Anselm's Ontological Argument 2. Blumenberg's Critique of Anselm's Theological Anthropology 2.1 Hans Blumenberg's Anselm: Humanity as Ersatz 2.2 The Historical Anselm: Humanity as an End in Itself 2.3 Rational Theology

Erstausgabe und deutsche Übersetzung eines der Hauptwerke Ralph von Battles (1040-1124), der von Anselms "Monologion" und Boethius' "De fide catholica" inspirierten "Meditatio cuiusdam christiani de fide".

An edition, translation and analysis of Ralph of Battle’s theological treatise De creatore et creatura et quid inter se differunt creaturae. Ralph (1040–1124) was a student of Lanfranc at Le Bec and subsequently at Caen. An intimate of Saint Anselm and a prolific writer himself, he served as chaplain to Lanfranc, prior of Caen and Rochester, and abbot of Battle. In this text, Ralph develops a theology of creation and a theological anthropology, discussing topics such as the ontological difference between creator and creature; the hierarchy of creatures; the human creature as a composite of body and soul; our relationship to non-rational creatures, to the angels and to the creator; our knowledge of God and the incomprehensibility of the divine nature.

Although preceding the great poverty movements which were to challenge the Western Church in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the relinquishment of private property and the care of the poor are notable themes in Anselm of Canterbury’s monastic thought, apart from being a major preoccupation of his life. This paper intends to provide an overview and analysis of Anselm’s views on private property and the religious life, on wealth, poverty and the care of the poor. The texts considered include his letters, prayers and theoretical works, the Benedictine Rule, Lanfranc’s Decreta and the Consuetudines Beccenses, as well as the writings of Eadmer and Alexander recording Anselm’s deeds and words

Christian theology, with very few exceptions, has recently been rather dismissive of the ontological proof, or has suggested that it should not be regarded as a proof of the existence of God at all. Yet the argument has been held in high esteem during Western intellectual history; philosophers have for the most part treated it with respect since its revival in the second half of the twentieth century. This essay takes a fresh look at four prominent versions of the ontological proof: Anselm’s Proslogion arguments, the argument put forward by Descartes, and the modal argument of Leibniz defended by Hartshorne and, with reservations, by Plantinga. Did Anselm intend to prove the existence of God, and how do his arguments relate to their modern counterparts? The core of this essay is an examination, with an eye on contemporary theology, of the most frequently raised objections against non-modal and modal ontological arguments. While none of these objections appears to be successful, the most promising one, perhaps, is to deny the logical possibility of a most perfect being altogether. The upshot, however, is that the prospects for a refutation of either the non-modal or the modal ontological argument are much less bright than prevailing sentiment in theology has it.

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Der Beitrag analysiert die Themen der Predigten zur Priesterweihe, die im Jahr 2020 in Deutschland gehalten wurden. Er fragt nach dem Priesterbild und nach der Relevanz des Dienstes für die Kirche der Gegenwart. Ernüchternd ist, wie sehr die Predigten immer noch den Priester überhöhen und wie wenig das Gottesvolk in der Kirchenkrise der Gegenwart in den Blick genommen wird.