Books by Eric M. Parker
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World, 2019
This volume sheds new light on Cusanus’ relationship to early modernity by focusing on the reform... more This volume sheds new light on Cusanus’ relationship to early modernity by focusing on the reform of church, the reform of theology, the reform of perspective, and the reform of method – which together aim to encompass the breadth and depth of Cusanus’ own reform initiatives. In particular, in examining the way in which he served as inspiration for a wide and diverse array of reform-minded philosophers, ecclesiastics, theologians, and lay scholars in the midst of their struggle for the renewal and restoration of the individual, society, and the world, our volume combines a focus on Cusanus as a paradigmatic thinker with a study of his concrete influence on early modern thought. This volume is aimed at scholars working in the field of late medieval and early modern philosophy, theology, and history of science.
As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Articles/Chapters by Eric M. Parker
Revisioning Cambridge Platonism: Sources and Legacy, 2019
Scholarly treatments of Peter Sterry and the Cambridge Platonists often view their reception of P... more Scholarly treatments of Peter Sterry and the Cambridge Platonists often view their reception of Platonism as radically different from their Puritan or Calvinist contemporaries. This essay focuses on three individuals, John Sherman, Girolamo Zanchi, and Peter Sterry, in order to clarify the variety of opinions regarding the value of Platonism for Christian theology among Protestant theologians in the Early Modern period. An example of this comes from John Sherman's use of the Reformed scholastic, Girolamo Zanchi in a treatise that he delivered in the Trinity College chapel in 1641. In this treatise entitled A Greek in the Temple, Sherman argues for a pious reception of pagan wisdom based on the concept of perennial philosophy, ideas which led the early 20th century historian J.B. Mullinger to conclude that Sherman was the original influence behind Cambridge Platonism. Yet, Sherman claims to receive many of these ideas from Zanchi, an Aristotelian who recommends Ficino and Steuco's works in his writings and refers to Plotinus as “homo Christianus.” Peter Sterry was undoubtably familiar with Zanchi, though Sterry takes greater liberty in the ideas that he borrows from the Platonists and he rejects the Aristotelian method in favor of the method of coincidence developed by Nicholas Cusanus.
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World, 2019
From Rome to Zurich, between Ignatius and Vermigli: Essays in Honor of John Patrick Donnelly, SJ, 2017
Reformation and Renaissance Review 15.1, 2014
Peter Martyr Vermigli's elevation of faith over charity displays similarities and differences wit... more Peter Martyr Vermigli's elevation of faith over charity displays similarities and differences with Aquinas and other medieval authors. For Aquinas, faith does not perceive its object and thus denotes an uncertain assent to imperfectly revealed truths. Aquinas posits a reordering of will and intellect in order to explain how faith is more certain than 'scientia.' Vermigli on the other hand attempts to maintain the natural order between intellect and will in virtuous action (i.e., natural law) even for the theological virtues. Vermigli likens faith to vision and practical wisdom arguing that God illuminates the mind to make the object of faith apprehendable to the judgment of reason. This perspective presents a more optimistic account of temporal intellectual perfection via grace.
Mediating Religious Cultures in Early Modern Europe, ed. Torrance Kirby and Matthew Milner, (Cambridge Scholars Press, 2013), 139-166., Dec 1, 2013
Martin Luther's sharp distinction between human (inherent) and divine (forensic) righteousness ne... more Martin Luther's sharp distinction between human (inherent) and divine (forensic) righteousness necessitates a division of two levels of virtue within 'two Kingdoms': civic virtue acquired through action and proper motivation in the Earthly Kingdom and infused virtue, which is a participation in the perfect virtue of Christ in the Heavenly Kingdom, the ultimate perfection of which is not infused but imputed to the believer. 1 This distinction between the virtue of the Earthly and Heavenly Kingdoms is reflected in a series of altarpieces commissioned by Luther from the court painter for the Electors of Saxony, Lucas Cranach the Elder. The series is known 1 Luther refers to the inherent righteousness of faith as a 'little spark' of righteousness which depends upon the imputation of Christ's righteousness: 'Fides est quidem iustitia formalis, et tamen non est satis quia … Fides enim non dat Deo formaliter satis, quia est imperfecta, Imo vix est scintilla fidei quae incipit Deo tribuere divinitatem. Primitias spiritus tantum accepimus, non decimas. Neque ratio tota occiditur in hac vita. Ideo in nobis reliqua est adhuc concupiscentia, ira, impatientia et alii fructus carnis ac infidelitis … Concludimus ergo ex his verbis: 'Et imputatum est illi ad iustitiam.' Iustitiam quidem incipere per fidem ac per eam nos habere primitias spiritus, sed quia fides infirma est, eam non perfici sine imputatione Dei. Quare fides iustitiam incipit, imputatio perficit usque ad diem Christi.' WA 40/I:364; LW 26:230.
Talks by Eric M. Parker
Presented at the conference, "Why Protestantism: Grace Worth Fighting For" at Patrick Henry College, September 28, 2019, sponsored by the Davenant Institute, 2019
Reformed philosophers utilized, across the board, a participatory ontology, that is to say, they ... more Reformed philosophers utilized, across the board, a participatory ontology, that is to say, they promoted a philosophy that centered on the idea that created being participates in the divine Being. From John Calvin’s use of philosophy to Philip Melanchthon Reformed philosophers were broadly Augustinian in their notion of union with God. This presentation shows how two lesser known theologians, Girolamo Zanchi (16th cent.) and the Cambridge Platonist, Peter Sterry (17th) made use of an explicitly Platonic metaphysics to articulate a participatory ontology.
Convegno internazionale in occasione dell’uscita del volume
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of th... more Convegno internazionale in occasione dell’uscita del volume
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World
ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019
Conference Presentations by Eric M. Parker
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Books by Eric M. Parker
As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Articles/Chapters by Eric M. Parker
Talks by Eric M. Parker
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World
ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019
Conference Presentations by Eric M. Parker
As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World
ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019