The arguments of John Duns Scotus in defence of Mary’s Immaculate Conception (original) (raw)
Related papers
John Duns Scotus and His Defence of the Immaculate Conception
John Duns Scotus and His Defence of the Immaculate Conception, 2000
This paper presents the treatise of the Subtle Doctor, Blessed John Duns Scotus (c. 1265 - 1308) on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. It is based on the critical edition: DOCTORIS SUBTILIS ET MARIANI B. IOANNIS DUNS SCOTI, Ordinis Fratrum Minorum, Opera Omnia. Iussu et Auctoritate Rmi. P. Iacobi Bini, totius Ordinis Fratrum Minorum Minister Generalis, studio et cura Commissionis Scotisticae, ad fidem codicum edita. Vol. XX: Lectura in Librum Tertium Sententiarum: a distinctione prima ad decimam septimam. Distinctio III, Quaestio I: «Utrum Beata Virgo fuerit concepta in peccato originali», Civitas Vaticana, Typis Vaticanis MMIII, 119-138. It summarises the contents of the doctrine of Scotus and provides some bibliographical indications regarding the question of this Marian privilege and its defence by the Franciscans.
The important problem of the publication is expressed by two questions: what method was used by German Dominican theologians who were supporters of the Immaculate Conception? How did the change in method change the view of the Immaculate Conception? The path to solving the problem has three stages. The first of them is a reconstruction of the views on the Immaculate Conception of German Dominican theologians. The next stage examines these views in terms of the method used. The final stage is a critical look at the methods used by Dominican supporters of the Immaculate Conception. The method used in the article consists of: systematization of the views of German Dominicans, analysis of the methods used by them and a discourse on the methods of the supporters of the Immaculate Conception with the opponent of this opinion, St. Thomas Aquinas. The change of method, from the scholastic method to the liturgical method (lex orandi-lex credendi), the argument from congruity (ex convenientia), and typological exegesis, has led a few Dominican theologians to the opinion that Mary was preserved or purified from original sin, or that she was conceived without original sin. The methods used by Dominican supporters of the Immaculate Conception have weaknesses. They resemble a circumstantial trial, which provides a high degree of probability, but not proof. This weakness of the methods is exposed by the discourse of these methods with the scholastic method of St. Thomas. This discourse results in the postulate of reinterpreting the Immaculate Conception. We should return to the biblical term "sanctification" and explain that Mary was saved by a more sublime sanctification. This would prevent the immaculate conception of Jesus from being equated with the immaculate conception of Mary. Only Jesus is Immaculate because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and His Mother, conceived by Joachim and Anna, was saved by a more sublime sanctification.
Saint Bonaventure’s Doctrine on the Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception
Religions
This article seeks to shed light on the approach of Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217/21–1274) on the highly problematic issue of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. In a context of heated debates on the matter, Saint Bonaventure presents a long and complex set of arguments that we can summarize as follows: Mary was conceived with original sin contaminating her body at first, but she was cleansed of it and sanctified immediately after her conception, at the very moment of the animation of her body, that is, when her soul gave life to her body. Therefore, the author concludes that even though the body of Mary, like that of all human beings except Christ, was conceived with original sin, it was thoroughly cleansed, and her body was sanctified from the very first moment at which it was animated by her holy soul and cleansed of all sin.
Medieval Encounters, 2018
In the early modern period, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was intensely defended by Spain, its cult even turned into a symbol of the Catholic Monarchy. However, in its earliest stage, the Spanish campaign in support of the Immaculate was immersed in controversy: some of the people promoting it were accused of not having a “pure” Old Christian ancestry. This article reads the origins of the Immaculate debate against the background of social ideas of purity and contamination.
The Virgin Shall Give Birth is two books in one: in addition to presenting an original defense of the traditional doctrine of the virgin birth, it also introduces the reader to aspects of the Mariology of Blessed John Duns Scotus and his school. In both respects it is thoroughly researched. The author first studies the validity of the traditional doctrine in view of Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, as well as contemporary objections. Then he brings the insights of great, but largely forgotten, theologians of the past into the contemporary debate. These Franciscans show us that the miraculous character of the birth does not in any way contradict Mary’s exercise of motherhood in giving birth. Rather, the miracle makes possible a unique mode of birth that more closely resembles the eternal generation of the Word, and thus constitutes a revelation of the Trinity.
The Immaculate Conception - A Theological Exploration.pdf
Our task, therefore, as we explore the Church’s teaching on the Immaculate Conception, will be to allow a dialogue between the voices of faith and reason to bring out its full meaning, and make it intelligible to any thinking person in the world today
It is commonly believed that in the debate on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, representatives of the Order of St. Francis were supporters of the Marian privilege, while the Dominicans were against it. The aim of this article is to verify this opinion by analyzing selected Dominican homilies from the 13th-15th centuries, seeking answers to the questions: has the maculist position expressed by preachers been maintained over the centuries? What caused Dominicans to remain unchanged in their views, despite the gradual spread of the opinion about the Immaculate Conception of Mary, which was finally officially accepted by the Church? What role did Saint's opinion play? Thomas Aquinas to the position of later Dominicans? The results of the analysis of medieval Dominican sermons allow us to consider the opinion that has so far been widespread as one-sided and superficial. The Dominican position is much more complex.
The Cult of the Immaculate Conception and the Abortion Controversy: Some historical reconsideration
The cult of the Immaculate Conception is partially held responsible for the Catholic Church's position against abortion. This paper analysis the development of this cult. It studies Muslim sources about the status of the Virgin Mary. These are normally ignored by both the defenders and critics of Catholic theology. Then it moves on to explain why there is a connection between the cult of the Immaculate Conception and the abortion controversy. In fact, early images of the Immaculate Conception, including those by Murillo, show the Virgin in an advance state of pregnancy.
2024
This article provides a concise examination of the Immaculate Conception debate before the 16th century, focusing on the unique roles of John the Baptist, Jeremiah, and Mary in medieval understandings of human genesis. Central to this analysis is the rivalry between the Franciscans and Dominicans, particularly that of Dominican scholar Vincenzo Bandello against Pope Sixtus as articulated in his 1481 treatise. Bandello argues for Mary's transition from sanctification in the womb to an immaculate state at the Annunciation, aligning with St. Bernard and Thomas Aquinas' views. His interpretation underscores the complexities in the terms 'sanctification' and 'immaculacy,' crucial in shaping the arguments of both sides of the controversy. Thomas Aquinas' significant influence is also explored, emphasizing baptism's role in the Church's sanctification and unity. Aquinas analogizes the Holy Spirit's descent upon Christ as a dove during His baptism to the Church's collective growth, integrating Marian doctrines into the narrative of the Church's sanctification. This symbolism, linked to the dove-like Bride of Canticles, is often referenced in discussions about Mary’s immaculate conception. The article also addresses the 15th-century celebration of the Immaculate Conception feast, highlighting the Florentine Thomist perspective on the Church of Rome's tolerance of the feast as recognition of Mary's sanctification. Various symbols and iconography such as The Visitation -- where Mary visits Elizabeth and John recognizes Jesus in the womb -- is analyzed for its theological implications in the Immaculate Conception debate. This event enriches the understanding of Mary's role in Christian theology. Additionally, the study investigates the Madonna della Misericordia iconography, popular among 15th-century confraternities. This motif, of Cistercian origin, depicts Mary as a protective figure with her mantle covering the faithful, symbolizing her role as a compassionate guardian and intercessor. This imagery underscores Mary's nurturing nature and her pivotal role in the spiritual community, affirming her importance in the Immaculate Conception discourse.
The doctrine of Thomas Aquinas was formally adopted as the official teaching of the entire Dominican Order. Throughout the 13 th and 14 th centuries, general chapters placed significant emphasis on the importance of adhering to Aquinas' views. They were deemed essential not only to maintain continuity within the orthodox tradition of the Church but also to foster unity within the entire order. Among the topics that sparked debate among medieval theologians was the conception of Mary. While Bernard of Clairvaux and the Dominicans rejected the idea of Mary's immaculate conception, the Franciscans, led by figures like John Duns Scotus, advocated for it. This article highlights the stance taken by the Dominican general chapters in defence of Thomas' views. Initially, in the 14 th century, there were general indications supporting the maculistic understanding of Mary's conception, but this stance shifted over time. By the 15 th century, the Dominicans were compelled to embrace the immaculistic concept. The delayed promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the mid-19 th century underscores the complexity and unresolved nature of theological discussions throughout the medieval period.