Bernard of Clairvaux

This is a book about Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), one of the most prominent theologians and church politicians of his time, under whose charismatic leadership the Cistercian order grew vigorously and gained ground all over twelfth-century Europe. Engaged in both the theological-doctrinal matters, such as the case against Peter Abelard, and the ecclesial-political matters, such as the Second Crusade, of his time, Bernard's involvement has made him controversial in our time. This...
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This is a book about Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), one of the most prominent theologians and church politicians of his time, under whose charismatic leadership the Cistercian order grew vigorously and gained ground all over twelfth-century Europe. Engaged in both the theological-doctrinal matters, such as the case against Peter Abelard, and the ecclesial-political matters, such as the Second Crusade, of his time, Bernard's involvement has made him controversial in our time. This book is an attempt to get behind the accumulated prejudices as well as the arguable piety and draw a sketch of Bernard as a theologian on the background of his own context, and present him in the span between tradition and originality. This is done by presenting a succint overview and nuanced discussion of Bernard's theology on the basis of his oeuvre, both well-known and less known texts, and with references to significant positions within scholarship on Bernard of Clairvaux.