Teleology and theology. Modern transformations in the understandingof the finality of human nature on the example of Cajetan and Luther

Andrzej Persidok


Papieski Wydział Teologiczny w Warszawie, Collegium Joanneum (Poland)

Abstract

The problem of the ultimate goal of man belongs to the most important issues of Western theological anthropology. Traditionally, it was perceived according to the model of a harmonious relation between nature and grace: man is by nature unable to find fulfillment elsewhere than in supernatural communion with God. The ultimate goal of his nature is the supernatural goal, which is reflected in his “natural desire to see God” – the hidden driving force of his entire activity. This conviction, shared by both patristic and medieval theology, at the dawn of
modernity undergoes profound transformation, and in time it becomes lost. The purpose of this study is to present these changes in understanding the finality of human nature on the example of two important representatives of early modern theology: Cardinal Kajetan and Martin Luther. The first of them, excessively succumbing to the influence of Aristotle's philosophy, introduced into theology a concept
of "pure nature", indifferent to any supernatural complement. The second, parting from the conviction about the total destruction of human nature by sin, in the place of harmony between human nature and its supernatural goal introduced the relation of a violent opposition. On the example of these two extremely different thinkers, one can observe how in modern theology takes place the destruction of the classical notion of finality and the separation between the supernatural goal and human nature with its internal dynamism.


Keywords:

teleology, Luther, Cajetan, nature and grace, theological anthropology

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Published
2018-03-05

Cited by

Persidok, A. . (2018). Teleology and theology. Modern transformations in the understandingof the finality of human nature on the example of Cajetan and Luther. Warsaw Theological Studies, 31(1), 168–184. https://doi.org/10.30439/WST.2018.1.13

Authors

Andrzej Persidok 

Papieski Wydział Teologiczny w Warszawie, Collegium Joanneum Poland

Ks. dr Andrzej PERSIDOK – prezbiter archidiecezji warszawskiej, wykładowca teologii fundamentalnej, adiunkt PWTW. W 2016 r. obronił doktorat na Wydziale Teologii Uniwersytetu Nawarry w Pampelunie na podstawie pracy o relacji między chrystologią i antropologią w teologii Henri de Lubac’a. Z-ca redaktora naczelnego Warszawskich Studiów Teologicznych.



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