The nine essays in this collection, selected from La theologie au douzieme siecle, inquire into the historical context and origins of medieval scholasticism. They are representative of Chenu's finest work.'If Pere Chenu considers "history of theology" to be the central concern of this collection, it is because he conceives of theology as an all-encompassing science, one which reflects the comprehensive unity of intellectual life as that develops within a culture. Literary history and criticism, cultural history, philosophy, biblical exegesis, historiography, ecclesiastical and social history, the history of education-all these and more are here involved, in their interdependence.' -- From the Translators' NoteFirst published as La theologie au douzieme siecle by J. Vinn, 1957. English translation published by University of Chicago Press, 1968

M. D. Chenu was one of France's leading twentieth-century intellectuals. He was general editor of the series Biblioth que Thomiste and, with Etienne Gilson and Mlle M. Th. D'Alverny, editor of Archives d'histoire doctrinale et litt raire du moyen age.