Franciscan Theologian Research Articles

The Primacy of Charity in Franciscan Theology

The Primacy of Charity in Franciscan Theology

The Philosophy of St. Bonaventure and of St. Thomas

The Franciscan Bonaventure of Bagnorea and the Dominican Thomas Aquinas are typical of their respective Orders.St. Bonaventure has been described as ‘one of the most lovable figures in the whole history of mediaeval thought, the great doctor of mystical contemplation, the most perfect exponent of Franciscan theology, that is of a theology thoroughly imbued with the religious genius of St. Francis of Assisi.’ St. Thomas has been characterized as the architect of the most perfect philosophical synthesis, ‘one of the three greatest metaphysicians who ever existed,’ whose only love was the quest for and the championing of truth, unice veritatis amator, the most eminent personification of St. Dominic’s ideal, that is, to uphold, to spread and to defend the Truth.If it is true that St. Francis never condemned learning for itself, it is equally true that he had no desire to see it developed in his Order. The pursuit of learning was always considered by St. Francis to be more dangerous than useful, and desired it neither for himself nor the members of his Order. His personal influence, profound as it was, did not, however, and could not prevail against the pressure of facts; and the Franciscans soon realized the necessity of developing theological studies.