St. Anselm, Part 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

In this episode of 'The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom,' Dr. Matthew Bunson continues his exploration of St. Anselm, the 11th-century Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the Church's most influential theologians. The discussion delves into Anselm’s complex tenure as archbishop during a turbulent period of conflict between church and crown in England, highlighting his resistance to royal interference in ecclesiastical appointments and his commitment to the independence of the Church. Beyond his political and spiritual leadership, the episode emphasizes Anselm’s enduring intellectual legacy, particularly his development of the ontological argument for God’s existence—arguing that God is 'that than which nothing greater can be conceived.' This foundational idea, rooted in 'faith seeking understanding' (fides quaerens intellectum), laid the groundwork for the scholastic tradition that would flourish through figures like Thomas Aquinas. Bunson underscores the lasting impact of Anselm’s work, not only in theology but in philosophy, as his argument has inspired centuries of debate among thinkers from Descartes to Plantinga. The episode concludes with a call to contemporary believers to embrace Anselm’s model of faith and reason, especially in an age of growing secularism and skepticism.