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Project

‘Knocking on Heaven’s Doors’. Free will, Money, and Emotions in the Theological Systems of Leonard Lessius and Luis de Molina (late 1500s-early 1600s)

This project considers the relationship between God and mankind in the theological systems of two of the most preeminent early modern Jesuit theologians, Leonard Lessius and Luis de Molina. Whereas most studies have depicted their views as being largely similar, this project aims to delve deeper into the subtleties of their views on predestination, grace, and free will, differences that urged the highest authorities within the Order to diverging reactions. Moreover, the project assesses how these doctrines, which valorize human agency vis-à-vis God’s initiative, also took into account people’s anxiety for their own salvation, and granted them more autonomy to take action, particularly in the realms of economy and banking. This project also examines how these views lead to the acceptance of a major human contribution alongside God’s inspiration in the coming into being of the biblical texts. By comparison, the views of the prominent Protestant theologian Jacob Arminius, charged by strict Calvinists as being ‘crypto-Jesuit’, will be analyzed for any possible reciprocal influences. This project will, finally, engage into a critical debate on the origins of capitalism within Western society, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Max Weber’s death, has come again on the surface. Methodologically, this project will not only analyze the Latin sources for their theological and moral-legal ideas, but will also approach them from the innovative angle of the history of emotions.

Date:1 Jan 2021 →  Today
Keywords:Leonard Lessius, Luis de Molina, Free will, Money, Emotions
Disciplines:History of religions, churches and theology, Early modern history, Socio-economic history