Why God Became Man

Anselm of Canterbury

Why God Became Man

Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109)

Cur Deus Homo

First published 1098

Anselm's dialogue with Boso on the fittingness and necessity of the Incarnation and Christ's satisfaction for humanity.


Praefatio I: Preface

Book I

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXV

Book II

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Boso. All these things plainly show that he ought to be mortal and to partake of our weaknesses. But all these things are our miseries. Will he then be miserable?

Anselm. No, indeed! For as no advantage which one has apart from his choice constitutes happiness, so there is no misery in choosing to bear a loss, when the choice is a wise one and made without compulsion.

Boso. Certainly, this must be allowed.

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Caput XVIII: Chapter XVIII (a)

Caput XIX: Chapter XVIII (b)

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

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