Logik der Freiheit

Freedom is the problem of every traditional doctrine of predestination. There is no freedom, at least no real freedom which pertains to the fundamental issues in life. However for the Franciscan theologian William of Ockham († 1347) it was of particular importance to preserve free will which was understood as freedom of choice. Thus the »most brilliant of all the scholastics« (Luther) presented a doctrine of predestination which did justice not only to the requirements of tradition but also to his personal high regard for freedom of choice. Michael Beyer describes Ockham's doctrine of predestination and in doing so shows how it is part of a well thought-out system of theology which is unparalleled in its logical clarity. In it, the doctrines of predestination and justification are always one. Since the thinking of the Venerabilis Inceptor also had a considerable influence on Luther's teachers in Erfurt, this study could also contribute to a better understanding of the origin of Luther's theology.