Bernard Of Clairvaux: God Evil And Suffering

Abstract

<p>This thesis examines Bernard of Clairvaux's thought writings. or not on God, Evil and Suffering, in selected Specifically, my aim is to establish whether the abbot of Clairvaux used the privation argument in his discussion of evil and suffering. The thesis is divided into two parts. Chapter One introduces Bernard and places him in context. It establishes that Bernard was familiar with Augustine's Confessions and a number of theologians who used the privation argument. It also discusses his approach to writing and the influence monastic theology and monastic literary genres had on his work. Chapter two explores variations of Bernard's account of the Fall, in order to judge who were the central players, why did Adam fall and what are the terms employed by Bernard to describe the Fall. It also examines Satan ' s role in Bernard's theology. The focus around which my evaluation revolves is J.B. Russell's claim that the abbot of Clairvaux, like most mystics, made use of the privation argument in his discussion of evil. Chapter two also asks what did Bernard have to say about human nature as a result of the Fall and does his theology of conversion and contemplation describe the restoration of a lack in human nature.</p>