This is an introduction the thought of Robert Holcot, a great and influential but often underappreciated medieval thinker. Holcot was a Dominican friar who flourished in the 1330s and produced a diverse body of work including scholastic treatises, biblical commentaries, and sermons. By viewing the whole of Holcot's corpus, this book provides a comprehensive account of his thought. Challenging established characterizations of him as a skeptic or radical, this book shows Holcot to be primarily concerned with affirming and supporting the faith of the pious believer. At times, this manifests itself as a cautious attitude toward absolutists' claims about the power of natural reason. At other times, Holcot reaffirms, in Anselmian fashion, the importance of rational effort in the attempt to understand and live out one's faith. Over the course of this introduction the authors unpack Holcot's views on faith and heresy, the divine nature and divine foreknowledge, the sacraments, Christ, and political philosophy. Likewise, they examine Holcot's approach to several important medieval literary genres, including the development of his unique "picture method," biblical commentaries, and sermons. In so doing, John Slotemaker and Jeffrey Witt restore Holcot to his rightful place as one of the most important thinkers of his time.

About the Author
John T. Slotemaker is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University. His research focuses on the development of medieval and early modern trinitarian theology. He has recently co-edited (with Jeffrey C. Witt) A Companion to the Theology of John Mair (2015). Jeffrey C. Witt is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Maryland. His research focuses on issues of faith and reason in the late medieval and early modern period. He has recently co-edited (with John T. Slotemaker) A Companion to the Theology of John Mair (2015).

Reviews
"With his versatile and creative mind, Robert Holcot truly deserves the epithet 'Great Medieval Thinker.' This book introduces the reader to a wide range of important issues Holcot grappled with, and looks at Holcot's interlocutors and intellectual legacy. Clearly written and organized, the book has much to offer not only those coming to Holcot for the first time, but specialists as well. It should set the study of Robert Holcot on a new footing."-Russell L. Friedman, Professor of Philosophy, University of Leuven, Belgium



Book Information
ISBN 9780199391257
Author John T. Slotemaker
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 227g
Dimensions(mm) 592mm * 196mm * 20mm