Chrystus - nauczyciel prawdziwej mądrości w teologii św. Bonawentury

Abstract

Two traditions are blended together in theological works of St Bonaventure (1274): spiritual and intellectual. The first one draws plentifully from the spiritual richness of St Francis of Assisi. The second, more intellectual, refers to the theological legacy of great theologians from the past: St Augustine, Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagita, Richard of St Victor, or Bernard of Clairvaux. Standing behind these two traditions: spiritual and intellectual, Franciscan and mystical, at times when Aristotle’s thoughts were conquering the minds of Parisian academic society, gives the works of St Bonaventure a particularly characteristic profile, quite different from any contemporary works, bringing his work to theology of wisdom. The source of this true wisdom was Jesus Christ who was so loved and faithfully imitated by St Francis becoming almost a “second Christ” (alter Christ). But Christ alone is not the only source of this wisdom. It is rather Christ in union with Father and the Spirit, the whole mystery of triune Love-Father, Son and the Holy Spirit-that brings to life the thought of the Seraphic Doctor, from the beginning to the end. Meditating on the mystery of the Holy Trinity in terms of exemplarity (exemplaritas) allows Bonaventure to stress a Trinitarian vision of the world: everything, the whole creation as well as the individual person, carry an imprint of the Holy Trinity. The logic of such understanding is relatively simple; since God is the creator of everything and is Himself the God of three Persons; therefore the Holy Trinity is also the Creator. The life and works patterned after the Holy Trinity is the sign of true wisdom of creation. It frees creation from egoism, opens up towards others and allows looking into the future with hope because love of the Holy Trinity precedes, accompanies and follows the life of the person.