Medieval Theology – 10 Free Classics!

Cur Deus Homo (“Why God was a Man”) was written from 1095 to 1098 once Anselm was already archbishop of Canterbury as a response for requests to discuss the Incarnation.  It takes the form of a dialogue between Anselm and Boso, one of his students.  Its core is a purely rational argument for the necessity of the Christian mystery of atonement, the belief that Jesus’s crucifixion was necessary to atone for mankind’s sin. Anselm argues that, owing to the Fall and mankind’s fallen nature ever since, humanity has offended God. Divine justice demands restitution for sin but human beings are incapable of providing it, as all the actions of men are already obligated to the furtherance of God’s glory.  (via Wikipedia)