Delphine Conzelmann: Side by Side: Augustine's supporting role in William of St. Thierry's attacks on Peter Abaelard

How far can a theologian go? What can, and more importantly, what can't he say? It was not merely a personal rivalry, but this very question, that drove William of St. Thierry (1080-1148) to consider the theology of Peter Abaelard (1079-1142) as a problem that needed to be dealt with. For him, the limits of the theological task as such were at stake. In William's eyes, Abaelard approached the Bible in a way too speculative and philosophical manner. In contrast, he understood his own theology as Biblical and true to the opinions of the Fathers, a sentiment he strongly expressed in his Expositio super Epistolam ad Romanos.In this paper I am going to discuss William's reception of Augustine, in order to present his own reading of Romans as firmly grounded in ecclesial tradition. Not only does he take up Augustine's thought, but he uses Augustine's biographical background – mainly his anti-Pelagian fervor – to support his own fight against heretical ideas, such as Peter Abaelard's or William of Conches'. This paper will explore how William introduced Augustine as a third player into his rising conflict with the school of Abaelard, both as authority in matters of theological content and methodology, and as a role model for his concrete political actions in the matter. It will do so on the grounds of his Commentary on the Romans.