Religion and Faith in the Reception of the Middle Ages

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will focus on the problem of religion and faith from the point of view of various medieval scholars.

The medieval view of religio was derived from two ancient traditions. One was the idea of religion associated with something official and universal. In this sense, the antiquity gave birth to the later developed tradition of thought, within which religion was interpreted as a rite, cultus, and official obedience and service to God. Various scholars including Cicero, Arnobius and Lactantius responded to this ancient image by appealing to the interiority of man, individual experience, piety, devotion, to the necessity of personal (religare) renewal of one's relationship with God. Perception of religion/religiosity in the teaching of medieval scholars (Augustine, Isidore of Seville and others) reacted to the motives of these authors in the beginning. In particular, they focused on a new view of the virtue of religio. This was interpreted as both justice towards God and ancient wisdom (sapientia), from which significant works of artistic and theological value emerged. At the same time, the influence of new scholarship and the study of liberal arts encouraged the search for new interpretation of religion through the aspect of fides. Faith was one of the most frequent themes in medieval philosophical treatises, and yet we cannot say that it has been definitively exhausted. It was mostly understood as a personal, progressive and dynamic inner relationship, which was also being newly reflected and manifested through the deeds. The medieval approach to the term faith was varied and very creative.

The aim of the Special Issue is to introduce:

1. The most interesting interpretative philosophical attitudes towards religion and faith in the works of great philosophical and theological masters (Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, etc.) within a contemporary context;
2. Variations in medieval theological reflection in the field of apologetics, religious and intercultural dialogue (Abaelard, Lull, Nicholas of Cusa);
3. Personal experience of faith (fides) in medieval monastic spirituality and mysticism (Hugh of St. Victor, St. Francis of Assisi, Bonaventure, M. Eckhart).

Thus, this Special Issue will—we believe—present a fitting addition to already existing literature and supplement its outcomes, e.g., Ethan Shagan’s The Birth of Modern Belief. Faith and Judgement from The Middle ages To The Enlightenment (Princeton 2019) and Bernd Hamm’s later work The Reformation of Faith in the Context of Late Medieval Theology and Piety (Brill 2004) and in some way accomplish Cameron’s work Enchanted Europe: Superstition, Religion and Reason 1250-1750 (Oxford University Press 2010).

Prof. Dr. Rastislav Nemec
Dr. Andrea Blaščíková
Guest Editors

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