destined to suffer death.
Boso. Thus far it is well. But there is yet another matter that needs
to be looked into. For we have said before that his death was not to be
a matter of necessity; yet now we see that his mother was purified by
the power of his death, when without this he could not have been born
of her. How, then, was not his death necessary, when he could not have
been, except in view of future death? For if he were not to die, the
virgin of whom he was born could not be pure, since this could only be
effected by true faith in his death, and, if she were not pure, he
could not be born of her. If, therefore, his death be not a necessary
consequence of his being born of the virgin, he never could have been
born of her at all; but this is an absurdity.
Anselm. If you had carefully noted the remarks made above, you would
easily have discovered in them, I think, the answer to your question.
Boso. I see not how.
Anselm. Did we not find, when considering the question whether he would
lie, that there were two senses of the word power in regard to it, the
one referring to his disposition, the other to the act itself; and
that, though having the power to lie, he was so constituted by nature
as not to wish to lie, and, therefore, deserved praise for his holiness
in maintaining the truth?
Boso. It is so.
Anselm. In like manner, with regard to the preservation of his life,
there is the power of preserving and the power of wishing to preserve
it. And when the question is asked whether the same God-man could
preserve his life, so as never to die, we must not doubt that he always
had the power to preserve his life, though he could not wish to do so
for the purpose of escaping death. And since this disposition, which
forever prevents him from wishing this, arises from himself, he lays
down his life not of necessity, but of free authority.
Boso. But those powers were not in all respects similar, the power to
lie and the power to preserve his life. For, if he wished to lie, he
would of course be able to; but, if he wished to avoid the other, he
could no more do it than he could avoid being what he is. For he became
man for this purpose, and it was on the faith of his coming death that
he could receive birth from a virgin, as you said above.
Anselm. As you think that he could not lie, or that his death was
necessary, because be could not avoid being what he was, so you can
assert that he could not wish to avoid death, or that he wished to die
of necessity, because he could not change the constitution of his
being; for he did not become man in order that he should die, any more
than for this purpose, that he should wish to die. Wherefore, as you
ought not to say that he could not help wishing to die, or that it was
of necessity that he wished to die, it is equally improper to say that
he could not avoid death, or that he died of necessity.
Boso. Yes, since dying and wishing to die are included in the same mode
of reasoning, both would seem to fall under a like necessity.
Anselm. Who freely wished to become man, that by the same unchanging
desire he should suffer death, and that the virgin from whom that man
should be born might be pure, through confidence in the certainty of
this?
Boso. God, the Son of God.
Anselm. Was it not above shown, that no desire of God is at all
constrained; but that it freely maintains itself in his own
unchangeableness, as often as it is said that he does anything
necessarily?
Boso. It has been clearly shown. But we see, on the other hand, that
what God unchangeably wishes cannot avoid being so, but takes place of
necessity. Wherefore, if God wished that man to die, he could but die.
Anselm. Because the Son of God took the nature of man with this desire,
viz., that he should suffer death, you prove it necessary that this man
should not be able to avoid death.
Boso. So I perceive.
Anselm. Has it not in like manner appeared from the things which we
have spoken that the Son of God and the man whose person he took were
so united that the same being should be both God and man, the Son of
God and the son of the virgin?
Boso. It is so.
Anselm. Therefore the same man could possibly both die and avoid death.
Boso. I cannot deny it.
Anselm. Since, then, the will of God does nothing by any necessity, but
of his own power, and the will of that man was the same as the will of
God, he died not necessarily, but only of his own power.
Boso. To your arguments I cannot object; for neither your propositions
nor your inferences can I invalidate in the least. But yet this thing
which I have mentioned always recurs to my mind: that, if he wished to
avoid death, he could no more do it than he could escape existence. For
it must have been fixed that he was to die, for had it not been true
that he was about to die, faith in his coming death would not have
existed, by which the virgin who gave him birth and many others also
were cleansed from their sin. Wherefore, if he could avoid death, he
could make untrue what was true.
Anselm. Why was it true, before he died, that he was certainly to die?
Boso. Because this was his free and unchangeable desire.
Anselm. If, then, as you say, he could not avoid death because he was
certainly to die, and was on this account certainly to die because it
was his free and unchangeable desire, it is clear that his inability to
avoid death is nothing else but his fixed choice to die.
Boso. This is so; but whatever be the reason, it still remains certain
that he could not avoid death, but that it was a necessary thing for
him to die.
Anselm. You make a great ado about nothing, or, as the saying is, you
stumble at a straw.
Boso. Are you not forgetting my reply to the excuses you made at the
beginning of our discussion, viz., that you should explain the subject,
not as to learned men, but to me and my fellow inquirers? Suffer me,
then, to question you as my slowness and dullness require, so that, as
you have begun thus far, you may go on to settle all our childish
doubts.
__________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER XVIII (a). [11]
How, with God there is neither necessity nor impossibility, and what is
a coercive necessity, and what one that is not so.
Anselm. We have already said that it is improper to affirm of God that
he does anything, or that he cannot do it, of necessity. For all
necessity and impossibility is under his control. But his choice is
subject to no necessity nor impossibility. For nothing is necessary or
impossible save as He wishes it. Nay, the very choosing or refusing
anything as a necessity or an impossibility is contrary to truth.
Since, then, he does what he chooses and nothing else, as no necessity
or impossibility exists before his choice or refusal, so neither do
they interfere with his acting or not acting, though it be true that
his choice and action are immutable. And as, when God does a thing,
since it has been done it cannot be undone, but must remain an actual
fact; still, we are not correct in saying that it is impossible for God
to prevent a past action from being what it is. For there is no
necessity or impossibility in the case whatever but the simple will of
God, which chooses that truth should be eternally the same, for he
himself is truth. Also, if he has a fixed determination to do anything,
though his design must be destined to an accomplishment before it comes
to pass, yet there is no coercion as far as he is concerned, either to
do it or not to do it, for his will is the sole agent in the case. For
when we say that God cannot do a thing, we do not deny his power; on
the contrary, we imply that he has invincible authority and strength.
For we mean simply this, that nothing can compel God to do the thing
which is said to be impossible for him. We often use an expression of
this kind, that a thing can be when the power is not in itself, but in
something else; and that it cannot be when the weakness does not
pertain to the thing itself, but to something else. Thus we say "Such a
man can be bound," instead of saying, "Somebody can bind him," and, "He
cannot be bound," instead of, "Nobody can bind him." For to be able to
be overcome is not power but weakness, and not to be able to be
overcome is not weakness but power. Nor do we say that God does
anything by necessity, because there is any such thing pertaining to
him, but because it exists in something else, precisely as I said with
regard to the affirmation that he cannot do anything. For necessity is
always either compulsion or restraint; and these two kinds of necessity
operate variously by turn, so that the same thing is both necessary and
impossible. For whatever is obliged to exist is also prevented from
non-existence; and that which is compelled not to exist is prevented
from existence. So that whatever exists from necessity cannot avoid
existence, and it is impossible for a thing to exist which is under a
necessity of nonexistence, and vice versa. But when we say with regard
to God, that anything is necessary or not necessary, we do not mean
that, as far as he is concerned, there is any necessity either coercive
or prohibitory, but we mean that there is a necessity in everything
else, restraining or driving them in a particular way. Whereas we say
the very opposite of God. For, when we affirm that it is necessary for
God to utter truth, and never to lie, we only mean that such is his
unwavering disposition to maintain the truth that of necessity nothing
can avail to make him deviate from the truth, or utter a lie. When,
then, we say that that man (who, by the union of persons, is also God,
the Son of God) could not avoid death, or the choice of death, after he
was born of the virgin, we do not imply that there was in him any
weakness with regard to preserving or choosing to preserve his life,
but we refer to the unchangeableness of his purpose, by which he freely
became man for this design, viz., that by persevering in his wish he
should suffer death. And this desire nothing could shake. For it would
be rather weakness than power if he could wish to lie, or deceive, or
change his disposition, when before he had chosen that it should remain
unchanged. And, as I said before, when one has freely determined to do
some good action, and afterwards goes on to complete it, though, if
unwilling to pay his vow, he could be compelled to do so, yet we must
not say that he does it of necessity, but with the same freedom with
which he made the resolution. For we ought not to say that anything is
done, or not done, by necessity or weakness, when free choice is the
only agent in the case. And, if this is so with regard to man, much
less can we speak of necessity or weakness in reference to God; for he
does nothing except according to his choice, and his will no force can
drive or restrain. For this end was accomplished by the united natures
of Christ, viz., that the Divine nature should perform that part of the
work needful for man's restoration which the human nature could not do;
and that in the human should be manifested what was inappropriate to
the Divine. Finally, the virgin herself, who was made pure by faith in
him, so that he might be born of her, even she, I say, never believed
that he was to die, save of his own choice. For she knew the words of
the prophet, who said of him: "He was offered of his own will."
Therefore, since her faith was well founded, it must necessarily turn
out as she believed. And, if it perplexes you to have me say that it is
necessary, remember that the reality of the virgin's faith was not the
cause of his dying by his own free will; but, because this was destined
to take place, therefore her faith was real. If, then, it be said that
it was necessary for him to die of his single choice, because the
antecedent faith and prophecy were true, this is no more than saying
that it must be because it was to be. But such a necessity as this does
not compel a thing to be, but only implies a necessity of its
existence. There is an antecedent necessity which is the cause of a
thing, and there is also a subsequent necessity arising from the thing
itself. Thus, when the heavens are said to revolve, it is an antecedent
and efficient necessity, for they must revolve. But when I say that you
speak of necessity, because you are speaking, this is nothing but a
subsequent and inoperative necessity. For I only mean that it is
impossible for you to speak and not to speak at the same time, and not
that some one compels you to speak. For the force of its own nature
makes the heaven revolve; but no necessity obliges you to speak. But
wherever there is an antecedent necessity, there is also a subsequent
one; but not vice versa. For we can say that the heaven revolves of
necessity, because it revolves; but it is not likewise true that,
because you speak, you do it of necessity. This subsequent necessity
pertains to everything, so that we say: Whatever has been, necessarily
has been. Whatever is, must be. Whatever is to be, of necessity will
be. This is that necessity which Aristotle treats of ("de
propositionibus singularibus et futuris"), and which seems to destroy
any alternative and to ascribe a necessity to all things. By this
subsequent and imperative necessity, was it necessary (since the belief
and prophecy concerning Christ were true, that he would die of his own
free will), that it should be so. For this he became man; for this he
did and suffered all things undertaken by him; for this he chose as he
did. For therefore were they necessary, because they were to be, and
they were to be because they were, and they were because they were;
and, if you wish to know the real necessity of all things which he did
and suffered, know that they were of necessity, because he wished them
to be. But no necessity preceded his will. Wherefore if they were not
save by his will, then, had he not willed they would not have existed.
So then, no one took his life from him, but he laid it down of himself
and took it again; for he had power to lay it down and to take it
again, as he himself said.
Boso. You have satisfied me that it cannot be proved that he was
subjected to death by any necessity ; and I cannot regret my
importunity in urging you to make this explanation.
Anselm. I think we have shown with sufficient clearness how it was that
God took a man without sin from a sinful substance; but I would on no
account deny that there is no other explanation than this which we have
given, for God can certainly do what human reason cannot grasp. But
since this appears adequate, and since in search of other arguments we
should involve ourselves in such questions as that of original sin, and
how it was transmitted by our first parents to all mankind, except this
man of whom we are speaking; and since, also, we should be drawn into
various other questions, each demanding its own separate consideration;
let us be satisfied with this account of the matter, and go on to
complete our intended work.
Boso. As you choose; but with this condition that, by the help of God,
you will sometime give this other explanation, which you owe me, as it
were, but which now you avoid discussing.
Anselm. Inasmuch as I entertain this desire myself, I will not refuse
you; but because of the uncertainty of future events, I dare not
promise you, but commend it to the will of God. But say now, what
remains to be unravelled with regard to the question which you proposed
in the first place, and which involves many others with it?
Boso. The substance of the inquiry was this, why God became man, for
the purpose of saving men by his death, when he could have done it in
some other way. And you, by numerous and positive reasons, have shown
that the restoring of mankind ought not to take place, and could not,
without man paid the debt which he owed God for his sin. And this debt
was so great that, while none but man must solve the debt, none but God
was able to do it; so that he who does it must be both God and man. And
hence arises a necessity that God should take man into unity with his
own person; so that he who in his own nature was bound to pay the debt,
but could not, might be able to do it in the person of God. In fine,
you have shown that that man, who was also God, must be formed from the
virgin, and from the person of the Son of God, and that he could be
taken without sin, though from a sinful substance. Moreover, you have
clearly shown the life of this man to have been so excellent and so
glorious as to make ample satisfaction for the sins of the whole world,
and even infinitely more. It now, therefore, remains to be shown how
that payment is made to God for the sins of men.
__________________________________________________________________
[11] This and the succeeding chapter are numbered differently in the
different editions of Anselm's texts.
__________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER XVIII (b.)
How Christ's life is paid to God for the sins of men, and in what sense
Christ ought, and in what sense he ought not, or was not bound, to
suffer.
Anselm. If he allowed himself to be slain for the sake of justice, he
did not give his life for the honor of God?
Boso. It should seem so, but I cannot understand, although I do not
doubt it, how he could do this reasonably. If I saw how he could be
perfectly holy, and yet forever preserve his life, I would acknowledge
that he freely gave, for the honor of God, such a gift as surpasses all
things else but God himself, and is able to atone for all the sins of
men.
Anselm. Do you not perceive that when he bore with gentle patience the
insults put upon him, violence and even crucifixion among thieves that
he might maintain strict holiness; by this he set men an example that
they should never turn aside from the holiness due to God on account of
personal sacrifice? But how could he have done this, had he, as he
might have done, avoided the death brought upon him for such a reason?
Boso. But surely there was no need of this, for many persons before his
coming, and John the Baptist after his coming but before his death, had
sufficiently enforced this example by nobly dying for the sake of the
truth.
Anselm. No man except this one ever gave to God what he was not obliged
to lose, or paid a debt he did not owe. But he freely offered to the
Father what there was no need of his ever losing, and paid for sinners
what he owed not for himself. Therefore he set a much nobler example,
that each one should not hesitate to give to God, for himself, what he
must at any rate lose before long, since it was the voice of reason;
for he, when not in want of anything for himself and not compelled by
others, who deserved nothing of him but punishment, gave so precious a
life, even the life of so illustrious a personage, with such
willingness.
Boso. You very nearly meet my wishes; but suffer me to make one
inquiry, which you may think foolish, but which, nevertheless, I find
no easy thing to answer. You say that when he died he gave what he did
not owe. But no one will deny that it was better for him, or that so
doing he pleased God more than if he had not done it. Nor will any one
say that he was not bound to do what was best to be done, and what he
knew would be more pleasing to God. How then can we affirm that he did
not owe God the thing which he did, that is, the thing which he knew to
be best and most pleasing to God, and especially since every creature
owes God all that he is and all that he knows and all that he is
capable of?
Anselm. Though the creature has nothing of himself, yet when God grants
him the liberty of doing or not doing a thing, he leaves the
alternative with him, so that, though one is better than the other, yet
neither is positively demanded. And, whichever he does, it may be said
that he ought to do it; and if he takes the better choice, he deserves
a reward; because he renders freely what is his own. For, though
celibacy be better than marriage, yet neither is absolutely enjoined
upon man; so that both he who chooses marriage and he who prefers
celibacy, may be said to do as they ought. For no one says that either
celibacy or marriage ought not to be chosen; but we say that what a man
esteems best before taking action upon any of these things, this he
ought to do. And if a man preserves his celibacy as a free gift offered
to God, he looks for a reward. When you say that the creature owes God
what he knows to be the better choice, and what he is able to do, if
you mean that he owes it as a debt, without implying any command on the
part of God, it is not always true. Thus, as I have already said, a man
is not bound to celibacy as a debt, but ought to marry if he prefers
it. And if you are unable to understand the use of this word "debere,"
when no debt is implied, let me inform you that we use the word
"debere" precisely as we sometimes do the words "posse, " and "non
posse, " and also "necessitas," when the ability, etc., is not in the
things themselves, but in something else. When, for instance, we say
that the poor ought to receive alms from the rich, we mean that the
rich ought to bestow alms upon the poor. For this is a debt not owed by
the poor but by the rich. We also say that God ought to be exalted over
all, not because there is any obligation resting upon him, but because
all things ought to be subject to him. And he wishes that all creatures
should be what they ought; for what God wishes to be ought to be. And,
in like manner, when any creature wishes to do a thing that is left
entirely at his own disposal, we say that he ought to do it, for what
he wishes to be ought to be. So our Lord Jesus, when he wished, as we
have said, to suffer death, ought to have done precisely what he did;
because he ought to be what he wished, and was not bound to do anything
as a debt. As he is both God and man, in connection with his human
nature, which made him a man, he must also have received from the
Divine nature that control over himself which freed him from all
obligation, except to do as he chose. In like manner, as one person of
the Trinity, he must have had whatever he possessed of his own right,
so as to be complete in himself, and could not have been under
obligations to another, nor have need of giving anything in order to be
repaid himself.
Boso. Now I see clearly that he did not give himself up to die for the
honor of God, as a debt; for this my own reason proves, and yet he
ought to have done what he did.
Anselm. That honor certainly belongs to the whole Trinity; and, since
he is very God, the Son of God, he offered himself for his own honor,
as well as for that of the Father and the Holy Spirit; that is, he gave
his humanity to his divinity, which is one person of the Triune God.
But, though we express our idea more definitely by clinging to the
precise truth, yet we may say, according to our custom, that the Son
freely gave himself to the Father. For thus we plainly affirm that in
speaking of one person we understand the whole Deity, to whom as man he
offered himself. And, by the names of Father and Son, a wondrous depth
of devotion is excited in the hearts of the hearers, when it is said
that the Son supplicates the Father on our behalf.
Boso. This I readily acknowledge.
__________________________________________________________________