Opera Omnia Savonarolae - Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Sep 20, 2024

12 min read

Solace for My Pilgrimage, bk. I

Spiritus: As I find myself contemplating, far from the presence of God, the return to the Father's house, you, O my Bride, must come with me. Anima: But I do not know by what path we may walk toward such salvation. Sp: Our path is Christ. An: But faith is uncertain. Sp: For one who wishes to draw near to God, it is necessary to believe. An: Yet one who believes too easily is light of heart. Sp: But to believe in God is an act of the utmost gravity. An: Has God perhaps spoken with you? Sp: No, but I believe those to whom God has deigned to speak. An: And how do you know that they have heard God speaking Sp: Miracles have proven it to me. An: But miracles belong to the past; then by what arguments may I believe now? Sp: Do you doubt, perhaps, that God exists? An: Even this leaves many in uncertainty, for "No one has ever seen God" (Jn 1:18). Sp: But such people are certainly devoid of intelligence, according to these words: "The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’" (Ps 13:1). An: And by what arguments do you prove that God exists?

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Jan 1, 1495

13 min read

On the Simplicity of the Christian Life (Preface)

Sentite de Domino in bonitate, et in simplicitate cordis quaerite illum; quoniam invenitur ab his qui non tentant illum, apparet autem eis qui fidem habent in illum. (Sap. 1:1-2) The principle of our salvation is to know God and to have a right understanding of Him. Just as the infected tongue of a feverish person cannot give a true judgment of the wine it tastes, so the spiritual sense of a sinner cannot have a good concept of God. This is why the uncreated wisdom exhorts us at the beginning of His discourse, saying: "Think (and feel/taste) of the Lord in goodness."

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Jan 1, 1495

4 min read

On the Simplicity of the Christian Life (Dedication)

Now, although the way of truth, through which God leads us to heavenly bliss, has been wonderfully described in the Holy Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, confirmed by the blood of Christ and countless martyrs, and declared most effectively by the teachings of the holy Roman Church and its most excellent doctors, its knowledge seems to be completely extinct in our times, either through negligence or contempt, because men blinded by malice or tepidity love darkness rather than light. This is why, while we preach the truth of Christ and His simplicity, some have awakened from a deep sleep and adhered to it with constancy; others, however, not wanting to abandon the custom of their ceremonies and neglecting the inner purification of the heart in the manner of the Jews, have despised the simplicity of Christ. These men continually oppose us and, going around from house to house, seek with all their might to corrupt the simple. Still others, refusing to listen to the truth, which is contrary to their perverse customs known by all throughout the world, persecute us not only with the tongue but also with the sword.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Jan 1, 1495

13 min read

On the Simplicity of the Christian Life (Preface)

Sentite de Domino in bonitate, et in simplicitate cordis quaerite illum; quoniam invenitur ab his qui non tentant illum, apparet autem eis qui fidem habent in illum. (Sap. 1:1-2) The principle of our salvation is to know God and to have a right understanding of Him. Just as the infected tongue of a feverish person cannot give a true judgment of the wine it tastes, so the spiritual sense of a sinner cannot have a good concept of God. This is why the uncreated wisdom exhorts us at the beginning of His discourse, saying: "Think (and feel/taste) of the Lord in goodness."

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Jan 1, 1495

4 min read

On the Simplicity of the Christian Life (Dedication)

Now, although the way of truth, through which God leads us to heavenly bliss, has been wonderfully described in the Holy Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, confirmed by the blood of Christ and countless martyrs, and declared most effectively by the teachings of the holy Roman Church and its most excellent doctors, its knowledge seems to be completely extinct in our times, either through negligence or contempt, because men blinded by malice or tepidity love darkness rather than light. This is why, while we preach the truth of Christ and His simplicity, some have awakened from a deep sleep and adhered to it with constancy; others, however, not wanting to abandon the custom of their ceremonies and neglecting the inner purification of the heart in the manner of the Jews, have despised the simplicity of Christ. These men continually oppose us and, going around from house to house, seek with all their might to corrupt the simple. Still others, refusing to listen to the truth, which is contrary to their perverse customs known by all throughout the world, persecute us not only with the tongue but also with the sword.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Jan 1495

13 min read

On the Simplicity of the Christian Life (Preface)

Sentite de Domino in bonitate, et in simplicitate cordis quaerite illum; quoniam invenitur ab his qui non tentant illum, apparet autem eis qui fidem habent in illum. (Sap. 1:1-2) The principle of our salvation is to know God and to have a right understanding of Him. Just as the infected tongue of a feverish person cannot give a true judgment of the wine it tastes, so the spiritual sense of a sinner cannot have a good concept of God. This is why the uncreated wisdom exhorts us at the beginning of His discourse, saying: "Think (and feel/taste) of the Lord in goodness."

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Jan 1495

4 min read

On the Simplicity of the Christian Life (Dedication)

Now, although the way of truth, through which God leads us to heavenly bliss, has been wonderfully described in the Holy Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, confirmed by the blood of Christ and countless martyrs, and declared most effectively by the teachings of the holy Roman Church and its most excellent doctors, its knowledge seems to be completely extinct in our times, either through negligence or contempt, because men blinded by malice or tepidity love darkness rather than light. This is why, while we preach the truth of Christ and His simplicity, some have awakened from a deep sleep and adhered to it with constancy; others, however, not wanting to abandon the custom of their ceremonies and neglecting the inner purification of the heart in the manner of the Jews, have despised the simplicity of Christ. These men continually oppose us and, going around from house to house, seek with all their might to corrupt the simple. Still others, refusing to listen to the truth, which is contrary to their perverse customs known by all throughout the world, persecute us not only with the tongue but also with the sword.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.