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

ANS. Ex his est facile cognoscere quoniam aut hoc de humana natura perficiet Deus quod incoepit; aut in vanum fecit tam sublimem naturam ad tantum bonum. At si nihil pretiosius agnoscitur Deus fecisse, quam rationalem naturam ad gaudendum de se; valde alienum est ab eo, ut ullam rationalem naturam penitus perire sinat.

BOS. Non potest aliter putare cor rationale.

ANS. Necesse est ergo ut de humana natura perficiat quod incoepit; hoc autem fieri, sicut diximus, nequit, nisi per integram peccati satisfactionem, quam nullus peccator facere potest.

BOS. Intelligo jam necesse esse, ut Deus perficiat quod incoepit; ne aliter quam deceat a suo incoepto videatur deficere.

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

Caput XVIII: Chapter XVIII (a)

Caput XIX: Chapter XVIII (b)

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

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