Cur Deus Homo [Paperback]

Saint Anselm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2005

A thought provoking book on the deepest questions which have plagued mankind for time and eternity. Is there a God? Why did he have to die? How are we restored by his death? Anselm tackles these tough questions in his thought provocative book "Cur Deus Homo." Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033 - 1109) was an Italian medieval philosopher and theologian, who held the office of Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. Called the founder of Scholasticism, he is famous as the inventor of the ontological argument for the existence of God and as the Archbishop who openly opposed the Crusades. (Wikipedia)

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com; First edition (September 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1411646436
• ISBN-13: 978-1411646438
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why did God become a man?, February 20, 2008

By 

James Huffman "Jim Huffman" (Burlington, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cur Deus Homo (Paperback)

The scandal of Christianity is that God -- the Almighty God who created all that is seen and unseen -- became a man. Specifically, He became a male Palestinian who lived from around 4 B.C. to around 29-30 A.D. A man who was born of a woman, who was hungry, thirsty, sleepy, tired -- everything that we do -- but without sin.

And that man who at the same time God suffered for us under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried and rose from the dead on the third day.

All of this is affirmed by orthodox Christians. The question that has been asked -- and which this book seeks to answer -- is not, "Did this all happen?," but "Why did God become man?" St. Anselm's discussion is the classic discussion of western theories of the Atonement.

A little baffling is the paucity of scripture in this book, but St. Anselm is trying to answer the question by use of reason, in the form of a dialog.

This particular translation was completed in 1903 and this is a reprint of that translation which has been out of print for some time. It's a good re-print, easy to read (the book is surprisingly short for as influential as it has been) and well-bound. The publisher has done good for all Christians by providing this printing of this book. While not simple reading, this book is not difficult for educated Christians -- lay or clergy -- to read and ponder.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Attempting to Unravel the Mystery Behind the Mystery, May 16, 2011

By 

Joseph L. Louthan (Fort Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cur Deus Homo (Classic Reprint) (Paperback)

Anselm's Cur Deus Homo or Why Did God Become Man? is an excellent, deep theological work that attempts to unravel the mystery behind the Incarnation of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. I gave this book only four out of five stars only because half of the book was letters back and forth between Anselm and people in the church and the monastery and it felt like filler to me. Despite the filler, the first 100 pages are well worth the price of the book and I recommend it to anyone who is not only interested in the "God became flesh and dwelt among us" but exploring the deep theological and philosophical aspects on the supposed free will of man versus the true and absolute free will of God.

The format is quite unique in that this is the first theological book I have read that is a discussion between two men. In this, we have Boso, a compatriot of the author's, who serves as the one inquiring about the Incarnation from a layperson's view and the unregenerate's view. And then we have Anselm, who seems to provide the answers but even more so, sharpens iron with Boso and sharpens iron with the reader.

I was pleased and fortunately to read this book after finishing Athanasius' On the Incarnation of the Word (which was a double joy to read around Christmas) and I felt like Athanasius' work serves as great, worshipful setup to this book. Athanasius lobs the pitch up and Anselm swings for the fences. If I could give the highest recommendation, it would to read On The Incarnation followed by Cur Deus Homo.

After reading, praying, processing and meditating, I would summed up the entire book in this:

In man's sinful nature, man lacks the power, ability and free will to fully live for God. However, in His divine nature, God has the power, ability and the free will to die for man so that man might fully live for God.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great value and a great book, October 18, 2011

By 

Bert C. Mccollum "Florida Teacher" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cur Deus Homo (Why God Became Man) (Illustrated) (Kindle Edition)

I can only add my approval to the compliments already given in the first two reviews. This is one of the great classics on the Christian west, and should be read by all Christians who are interested in attaining a greater knowledge and understanding of their faith. This translation is clear and elegant. There is an active table of contents. The price for such a treasure is a mere pittance. Please don't pass this one up.