Historical Analysis Of Eriugena’s View Of Natural Theology

Eriugena was a crucial Christian mystic philosopher,translator,and poet in the Middle Ages,and was the most concerned Western scholar between the 5th and 13 th centuries AD.He lived in the 9th century AD where theological authority was absolutely dominant,but he was able to promote the power of reason and philosophy,and was unique,becoming a wonderful piece of reason in the Middle Ages.Eriugena has written extensively throughout his life,among which the most representative book "On the Distinction of Nature" has established the theoretical framework of his natural theology,and established the first complete philosophical system in the Middle Ages,which has a profound impact on future generations.This article intends to systematically and comprehensively discuss its natural theology from a historical perspective.During the Carolingian dynasty where Eriugena lived,Christianity had occupied an important position in Western European society.The secular power of the church continued to expand.Christ theology gradually controlled the development trend of Western European ideology and culture.The Roman Church was no longer satisfied with the passive position of attachment to the royal power,and began to actively seek the Worldly supreme ruling power,which seriously threatened the authority of the Frankish monarchy.At the same time,the Frankish Kingdom experienced an imperial division and scuffle,and the royal power was greatly weakened.Eriugena,who was in the Frankish court,deeply felt the threats faced by Bald Charlie.In this context,Eriugena discussed nature and God based on reason,and constructed a very innovative philosophical theory,that is,natural theology.He subdivides the "natural" that covers all existence and non-existence into four categories: God,sacred ideas,visible world,God,everything originates from God,and eventually returns to God.Nature is God,God is nature,and God itself has become a rational existence.Regrettably,the advanced thinking in the philosophy of Eriugena made him doomed not to be tolerated by the Roman church at that time,and was repeatedly condemned by the church,and its works were ordered to be burned.But in an era when theological authority is prevalent,Eriugena ’s natural theology is undoubtedly of great enlightening significance.He established an important bridge connecting ancient Greek and Latin Western civilization,and injecting new inspiration for the development of Christ theology.Whether it is for contemporary scholars of the 9th century,or scholars of later generations,it has great significance.