Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 written at the request of one of the cardinals of rome, it describes the four levels of love for god, and puts christian devotion in the context of gods love for mankind. It is good for us to know how little we can do by ourselves, and how much we can do with gods help, and therefore to. Short because it was written and coped by hand no printing press let alone computers and word processors and sweet because it shows the path on loving god and contains a surprising simple list on the degrees of love that anyone can understand. Saint bernards on loving god is one of his most delightful, and most widely read, works.
On loving god, saint bernard of clairvaux, full catholic. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153, a figure of towering importance on the twelfthcentury monastic and theological scene. It stands in the tradition of the fathers of the church, but it carries patristic teaching into the middle ages and into the cloister. In nature, without any other instruction, man will focus primarily on himself, because that is all that he knows. In 1115 he headed the group sent to found a house at clairvaux. Bernards writings, click on the following link to the christian classics ethereal library. For mere ignorance, as in the first instance, does not glory. Bernard of clairvaux the legacy of saint bernard of clairvaux to 20thcentury christians, as multifaceted as it is, lies most significantly in his profound human psychology of selfesteem and selfawareness grounded in the mercy and love of god. Bernard of clairvaux s most popular book is on loving god. In a new analytic commentary, stiegman examines bernards language, logic, and theology, demonstrating the vital importance of reading medieval authors on their own terms. Bernard of clairvaux download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Resourceful, rich, and rewarding, on loving god can be completed in a few sittings, but also be enough to pause and reflect upon for many additional hours to come. I only wish that i had read it in the quiet of my home instead of the noise and distractions of an airport and airplane.
Bernard writes upon four types of love which a christian experiences along the. So, we start by loving god, not for his own sake but ours. In the first degree, man loves himself for his own sake. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Bernard of clairvaux on love christian history institute.
Listen to on loving god audiobook by saint bernard of clairvaux. This prayer is variously attributed to saint bernard of clairvaux, st. Bernard of clairvaux saint abebooks shop for books. My answer is that god himself is the reason he is to be loved. Bernard of clairvaux previous chapter next chapter table of contents. Perhaps bernards most delightful tract, on loving god posits that ev. Bernard of clairvaux, a digital book in the international school of theologys cyber library. The four degrees of love bernard of clairvaux renovare. Bernard of clairvaux 2 dedication to the illustrious lord haimeric, cardinal deacon of the roman church, and chancellor. Bernard of clairvaux is the little tract, on loving god. Bernard of clairvaux stbernard new washington ohio.
In this 11th century text, st bernard of clairvaux, doctor of the church, gives the reader his insights and advice on love. Bernard, however, sheds light on this book by exposing its deep mystical meanings within the contexts of our love for god and gods love for us and his church. In bernard of clairvauxs work, on loving god, he outlines four degrees of love and relates them to the development of a relationship with god. Bernard, called abbot of clairvaux, wisheth long life in the lord and death in the lord. In this 11th century text, st bernard of clairvaux, doctor of the church, gives the reader his insights and advice on love, describing the four separate kinds of love that seekers experience on their path to loving god. This book is an instruction manual about loving god. Selected works classics of western spirituality, and more on. Bernard continues, god deserves to be loved very much, yea, boundlessly, because he loved us first, he infinite and we nothing, loved us, miserable sinners, with a love so great and so free. On loving god by saint bernard of clairvaux loyal books. St bernard of clairvaux 10901153 father and doctor of the church encyclical of pope pius. Bernard of clairvaux points toward a spiritual theme of journey and selfknowledge. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153, a french abbott, and one of the very few saints designated as a doctor of the church. After a brief overview of bernards life, evans focuses on a few major themes in his work, including his theology of spirituality and his theology of the political life of the church.
In this work, bernard offers us much to think and pray and meditate upon. My answer is that god himself is the reason why he is to be loved. This book summary was developed and distributed by the be united in christ outreach ministry for use in your. Bernard of clairvoux, on loving god reaches such depths comparable to st. Ecumenical, the book has a wide christian appeal, for his proofs are mainly from scripture, and the thrust is as accessible to most readers as. Saint bernard of clairvaux 1090 1153 on loving god is one of the bestknown and most influential works of medieval christian mysticism. Bernard of clairvaux translated and with a foreword by g. For indeed, god deserves to be loved very much, yea, boundlessly, because. You want me to tell you why god is to be loved and how much. It describes why one should love god, how one should show their love for god and the four degrees of love. If you are looking for a good guide into the love of god, i cannot recommend too many more heartily than st. Marianne caroline eyles patmore, coventry kersey dighton patmore. On loving god saint bernard of clairvaux all you can books.
Saint bernards on loving god is one of his most delightful, and most. Bernard of clairvaux books list of books by author. Augustine and the cost of discipleship by dietrich bonhoeffer, i selected on loving god because it is broken up into fourteen short chapters, one to four pages a piece, making a nice. But beyond either of these classes are those whom he calls beloved. As for how he is to be loved, there is to be no limit to that love.
Bernard of clairvaux and mysticism by stephen nichols. Readings for advent and christmas, and bernard of clairvaux. Online book entitled on loving god by st bernard of clairvaux. Bernard of clairvaux next chapter table of contents. Loving god for selfs sake, and loving god for gods sake. See all books authored by bernard of clairvaux, including watch for the light. Perhaps bernards most delightful tract, on loving god posits that everything good in human persons is an expression of gods love and by love the person may participate in the being of the triune god. In a new analytic commentary, stiegman examines bernards language, logic, and theology. In his text on loving god, bernard surveys the four types of love that christians experience as they grow in their relationship with god.
While there are many books in the tournament that i have on my list to read, like city of god by st. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Bernard of clairvaux has 123 books on goodreads with 6734 ratings. He was sent to found a new abbey at an isolated clearing in a glen known as the val dabsinthe, about 15 kilometres 9. Books by bernard of clairvaux author of on loving god. Its hard to know how to characterize bernard of clairvaux. Bernard of clairvaux 3 not remain sinful, so that same love which in equal measure he poured out upon angels kept them altogether free from sin. There in those isolated and rugged surroundings he became the spokesman for a revival of moastic life in an age when the radical spirit of religious life was endangered by a movement. Listen to on loving god by saint bernard of clairvaux at. Why we should love god, and the measure of that love. Its famous affirmation that god is to be loved without limit, sine modo, is taken directly from the letters of saint. I answer, the reason for loving god is god himself. Bernard surveys the four types of love that christians.
Bernard reminds us that not only did god give us life, but he gave us himself. A remarkable little book for anyone wishing to know what loving god is, how one comes to it, and how one can achieve it. Why we should love god and the measure of that love. Saint bernard of clairvaux 10901153 you want me to tell you why god is to be loved and how much. Click download or read online button to get bernard of clairvaux book now. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. On loving god is an audiobook by the luminary monk, bernard of clairvaux. On loving god is one of the bestknown and most influential works of medieval christian mysticism. As valentines day looms on the horizon, we are bombarded from every angle by notions of love that are often superficial and sometimes destructive. The basest type of love is mans love for himself for his own sake 192. Teresa of avilas interior castle dover thrift editions in a shorter space and time. Bernard, however, sheds light on this book by exposing its deep mystical meanings within the contexts of our love. List of books and articles about bernard of clairvaux.
Born in fontaines les dijon in 1090, bernard had become, by his twentyfifth birthday, the abbot of cistercian monastery which he had founded in the valley of clairvaux near aube, france some four years earlier. On loving god by bernard of clairvaux free at loyal books. Bernard, called abbot of clairvaux, wisheth long life in the lord and. Cantica canticorum eightysix sermons on the song of solomon life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux, volume 1 life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux, volume 2. On loving god by saint of clairvaux bernard free ebook. Complete summary of saint bernard of clairvauxs on loving god. Written at the request of one of the cardinals of rome, it describes the four levels of love for god, and puts christian devotion in the context of gods love for mankind. How much god deserves love from man in recognition of his gifts, both material and spiritual.
As the pages of on loving god unfold, bernard fully endorses reflecting on and contemplating the love of god. Bernard clearly and logically explains why we ought to love god as he masterly weaves scripture quotations from st. You wish me to tell you why and how god should be loved. Bernard surveys the four types of love that christians experience as they grow in their relationship with god. Bernard of clairvauxs most popular book is on loving god. Life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux.
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