47 pages • 1 hour read
Peter Abelard, HeloiseThe Letters Of Abelard And Heloise
Nonfiction | Collection of Letters | Adult | Published in 1133A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 9-14: “The Letters of Peter the Venerable”Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 9 Summary: “Abelard’s Confession of Faith”
Abelard’s confession of faith is a brief statement addressed to Heloise explaining his theological views and his devotion to the Christian faith. It is likely the last personal message that she received from him. Radice notes that it was written around 1140-1141 C.E., before or immediately after his condemnation for heresy at the Council of Sens.
In the confession, Abelard laments that his attempt to use logic to better understand and illuminate their faith has been misunderstood by others and “has made [Abelard] hated by the world” (211). He notes that though he is praised for his intellect, he is also told that it detracts from his piety. He strongly rejects this as conjecture and states that there is no evidence for it. Abelard writes, he says, to ease her anxiety and assure her that he has “founded [his] conscience on that rock on which Christ built his Church” (211).
He clarifies and reiterates a number of theological points for which he was condemned, noting that he does not believe in grades in the Holy Trinity, that he believes them to be co-equal, and that he does not believe that the Father is the Son.
