Trynitarna koncepcja historiozoficzna Joachima z Fiore

Nowadays people are more and more concerned about the future and the end of the world. The vision of the End of Times in Joachim of Fiore’s apocalyptic conception presents one of the most interesting interpretations of the end of the world in relation to events and historical figures and presents an attempt to look into the future made by the 12th-century Calabyan Abbot Joachim of Fiore on the basis of the book of the Holy Bible, especially the Apocalypse of Saint John. The purpos of the thesis is to introduce the reader to the very form of the medieval exeget – Joachim of Fiore as well as the concept of tripartite and interpretation of history in the Trinitarian context created by him. In the light of the concept mentioned above, the vision of the Calabyan Abbot was presented regarding the end of times, preceded by an explanation of exegetical methods used by the abbot (especially biblical typology and the principle of compatibility of both Testaments in relation to the entire history of the Chosen People and Christianity). The thesis also presents a comparison of the convergent historiosophic concepts of Joachim of Fiore and Saint Augustine of Hippo. The thesis contains both Latin fragments of Joachim’s manuscripts and translations of them into Polish. Annex show translated testament of Joachim of Fiore, proving his faithfulness to the authority of the Catholic Church.

A Controversial Partner

This chapter focuses on Joachim of Fiore, Giovanni’s alleged companion and inspirator. After a brief introduction to Joachim’s life and works, this chapter explains the controversies that Joachim’s prophecies and theological views provoked. The chapter also explores the centuries-long and failed attempts made by Joachim’s followers to have him officially canonized. In the seventeenth century, the case for Joachim’s sanctity received several boosts, including the important endorsement of the Jesuit Daniel Papebroch, one of the leaders of the Bollandists. The chapter explores all the political, intellectual, and theological reasons for this novel enthusiasm, which Carlo hoped would have benefited Giovanni’s case as well. Analyzing the joint cases of Joachim and Giovanni provides a unique lens through which we can appreciate the politics of sanctity in connection with questions of historical authenticity and theological orthodoxy.

The End of the Story

This chapter narrates the end of this story. First, it shows how the Papacy finally managed to declare once and for all that the story of Giovanni was entirely fake, thus banning any source or books defending or promoting it and punishing the main culprits. The chapter also shows that even though Carlo Calà was never officially condemned as the inspirator or executor of the forgery, nevertheless the pope’s final condemnation dealt a heavy blow to his political influence, which was already declining because of a change in leadership within the viceregal administration. Finally, this chapter provides information on the decisions taken by the Roman Curia on the unofficial cult to Joachim of Fiore, whose canonization trial is still open to this day.

A Wonderful Find

This chapter introduces the story of Giovanni Calà, Carlo’s supposed medieval ancestor. Giovanni’s life and deeds were recorded in numerous sources, which began to appear in the second half of the 1650s. A giant man and trusted captain of the Holy Roman emperor’s army, Giovanni had suddenly decided to abandon glory and honors to become a hermit and follower of Joachim of Fiore, whose holy charisma and prophetic abilities he allegedly shared. All the sources, however, were forgeries, fabricated by a man named Ferrante or Ferdinando Stocchi. Carlo, possibly unaware of the forgery, made extensive use of these sources in the books he wrote to publicize Giovanni’s story, hoping for a future canonization. This chapter also analyzes the early modern process of canonization, characterized by a greater degree of control and oversight by the Roman Curia and by a heightened sensitivity to questions of historical accuracy and documentary authenticity.

Teza o sekularyzacji Karla Löwitha w świetle krytyki Hansa Blumenberga

The article aims to defend Karl Löwith’s secularization thesis from the criticism made by Hans Blumenberg. Löwith’s thesis claims that modern philosophy of history is a secularized Christian eschatology. Blumenberg accuses Löwith’s thesis of substantialism. Following Sjoerd Griffioen, the article shows that this criticism fails. The article presents Blumenberg’s arguments that the idea of progress cannot be derived from eschatology. These arguments are refuted by the analysis of the work of Joachim of Fiore and providing a distinction between two kinds of progress. The article is written from the perspective of intellectual history, detaching from the dispute over the judgement of modernity.

I Florensi nelle strutture politiche, religiose e socio-economiche della Calabria (XII–XIII sec.)

A specific area of north-eastern Calabria, between the Sila and the Ionian Sea, profoundly Greek and with a degree of stability from the Byzantine to the Norman era and even beyond, represents an ideal local area in which to document the development of the Florensian monastic organization, with its political, social and religious peculiarities. The interaction of Joachim of Fiore and his monks with the political and ecclesiastical authorities did not differ from those of other monastic institutions in the area. As regards the latter, the Cistercians in particular, despite the criticisms levelled by the abbot of Fiore, exhibited similar practical behaviour, both religious and economic, especially in the struggle for the demanium, and this sometimes led to conflict. Both „new“ orders, however, participated in the transition of the area towards the Latin reform.

The Interpretation of John’s Apocalypse in the Medieval Period

This chapter surveys the dominant modes of interpreting the Revelation in the Middle Ages. Attention is given to the influence of the older Latin commentaries by Victorinus and Tyconius on medieval exegesis, and to the ways in which the patristic perspectives were appropriated by early medieval commentators such as Primasius, Beatus, Bede, Alcuin, and Haimo. The tradition continued to be adapted through new interpretive methods in twelfth-century commentaries, such as the one ascribed to “Berengaudus” and that of Richard of St. Victor. The interpretation by Rupert of Deutz, followed by Anselm of Havelberg and, especially, Joachim of Fiore interpreted Revelation in terms of broader conceptions of history. Finally, attention is given to the continued development of historical perspectives by writers of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, including Alexander Minorita, Peter John Olivi, and Nicolas of Lyra.