Reclaiming the Dark Ages (Anselm)

Reclaiming the Dark Ages (Anselm)

This sermon explores the life and enduring theological legacy of Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping Christian thought during the medieval period. Centered on his two major contributions—his ontological argument for God's existence and his groundbreaking doctrine of the atonement—Anselm is portrayed as a foundational figure in Christian apologetics and theology. His reasoning, which blends faith and reason, shifts the focus from scriptural argumentation alone to intellectual inquiry grounded in human experience, particularly the innate recognition of goodness and moral order as pointing to a transcendent God. In his work Cur Deus Homo, Anselm redefines the atonement not merely as a personal deliverance from sin, but as a cosmic restoration of the created order, emphasizing Christ as the second Adam who reconciles humanity and the universe to God, thereby establishing a new creation. The sermon underscores how Anselm's vision of redemption as eschatological and holistic continues to shape Christian understanding of salvation, making him a transformative figure whose insights remain deeply relevant.