'Cur Deus Homo? (Why God Became Man)' Summary

Anselm of Canterbury's Cur Deus Homo? (Why God Became Man) is a seminal work of Christian theology that explores the necessity and significance of the Incarnation. Written in the 11th century, it remains a foundational text for understanding Christian soteriology. Anselm argues that the Incarnation was necessary to satisfy the demands of divine justice and to restore humanity to its original state of grace. He develops this argument through a series of dialogues between himself and a hypothetical interlocutor, Boso, who raises objections to the idea of the Incarnation. Anselm systematically addresses these objections, ultimately demonstrating that the Incarnation is the only way to reconcile divine justice and mercy. Cur Deus Homo? is a rigorous and thought-provoking work that has had a profound impact on Christian thought and practice throughout the centuries.