Abbot Joachim of Fiore was a highly influential prophet and spiritual writer that shaped the culture of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. His insights into scriptural interpretation and the unfolding of history flowed from a grave misunderstanding of the Trinity’s unity. His misunderstanding was based on the inappropriate use of the philosophical principle of univocity. This difficulty is but one of the many reasons that Pope Innocent III called the Forth Lateran Council.
Innocent III was the exemplar of papal monarchy, a mover and shaker of medieval culture that took full advantage of the power invested to him in his office as Bishop of Rome. After eighteen years of reigning from the chair of Peter he called the Great Council …show more content…
Thus the agenda of reform truly did act to from the culture in accord with its decrees. This includes its second canon which served to condemn the thought of Joachim and set down authoritatively the doctrine of analogy. There is no question that this culture shaping Council would have had a major impact on the theologians and philosophers of the thirteenth century, including St. Thomas Aquinas.
Modern scholars of St. Thomas often neglect to contextualize his writings. Those that do, still often neglect the cultural impact of Lateran IV on Aquinas. Bringing in the sacramental context of Lateran IV when interpreting St. Thomas, especially on analogy, provides additional insights.
To properly contextualize St. Thomas’s writings on analogy, one should go beyond even Lateran IV. For the seeds of this doctrine are found among the Israelites and the Gentiles. Whether it be in the Wisdom of King Solomon or in the writings of the great philosopher Aristotle. The seeds grow in St. Paul’s theology and his use of greek philosophy to evangelize the greeks. The doctrine endures through the ages of the Church allowing for a great bridge between the heights that reason can reach up toward, and the depths the faith is able to reach down. Thus faith lifts reason so that we can reason about the
Innocent III was the exemplar of papal monarchy, a mover and shaker of medieval culture that took full advantage of the power invested to him in his office as Bishop of Rome. After eighteen years of reigning from the chair of Peter he called the Great Council …show more content…
Thus the agenda of reform truly did act to from the culture in accord with its decrees. This includes its second canon which served to condemn the thought of Joachim and set down authoritatively the doctrine of analogy. There is no question that this culture shaping Council would have had a major impact on the theologians and philosophers of the thirteenth century, including St. Thomas Aquinas.
Modern scholars of St. Thomas often neglect to contextualize his writings. Those that do, still often neglect the cultural impact of Lateran IV on Aquinas. Bringing in the sacramental context of Lateran IV when interpreting St. Thomas, especially on analogy, provides additional insights.
To properly contextualize St. Thomas’s writings on analogy, one should go beyond even Lateran IV. For the seeds of this doctrine are found among the Israelites and the Gentiles. Whether it be in the Wisdom of King Solomon or in the writings of the great philosopher Aristotle. The seeds grow in St. Paul’s theology and his use of greek philosophy to evangelize the greeks. The doctrine endures through the ages of the Church allowing for a great bridge between the heights that reason can reach up toward, and the depths the faith is able to reach down. Thus faith lifts reason so that we can reason about the