Hypostatic Language and Redemptive Satisfaction in San Anselm

Abstract

Faced with two somewhat antithetical readings of the theory of satisfaction of Anselm –one “classical” (J. Hopkins), the other rather “revolutionary” (M. Corbin)– this article intends to propose, following in the footsteps of Anselm’s Pauline inspiration (theology of the two Adams), an interpretation that takes into account its essentially dynamic character. Six more footsteps at least must follow one another in order to arrive at a good understanding of satisfaction in St. Anselm, showing what conditions it (prae-satisfactio), what constitutes it (pro-satisfactio) and what overflows it (plus-quam-satisfactio). In this way, we manage to highlight the fundamentally new but not entirely new character of the new Adam (Adam 2) who must integrate what belongs to the first (Adam 1) while renewing it completely. It is thus necessary to think of it both in its esse (hypostatic language) and in its agere, (satis-facere), as the articulation of the two Adams in the two possible directions: Adam 2/1 + Adam 1/2.