Today in Lent Madness, we will finally answer that age old question: Theologian or Nurse? Okay, there's a lot more to Anselm of Canterbury and Florence Nightingale than these two labels, so you'll just have to read on.
In yesterday's action, Henry Budd left Cecilia singing the blues as the patron saint of music lost in a close battle 53% to 47%.
Shockingly (or not so shockingly if you're a longtime Lent Madness participant), we encountered our first case of voter fraud as 546 votes for Cecilia were removed after the ever-vigilant SEC noticed a discrepancy. It was a youthful prank and said youth has since confessed and been absolved. Frankly, there are worse ways for teens to get into trouble on the internet than voting too many times for a saint in Lent Madness.
However, this will not be tolerated and perpetrators face being cast into the outer darkness of Lent Madness where there will be weeping and gnashing of brackets. Do everyone a favor: vote once. If you're particularly enthusiastic, get all your friends, neighbors, and even your enemies (the ones we're supposed to love anyway) to cast a vote for your favorite saint. Big Lent is watching...
Anselm of Canterbury
Anselm of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk and theologian of the medieval Church. Born in the eleventh century in a region of France that is now part of Italy, he entered the Abbey of Bec as a novice at the age of 27. Later, he became abbot and was known for his skillful leadership and his kind, loving discipline toward the monks. He was also known for his very public squabbles with the monarchs of England during his time as the Archbishop of Canterbury, defending the Church’s authority to appoint leaders and manage its own wealth. For his resistance to the English kings, he was exiled twice.
Marrying his Neoplatonic worldview with Aristotelian logic, Anselm is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the Middle Ages. He espoused a philosophy of “faith seeking understanding,” by which he meant people’s love of God inspired them to pursue deeper knowledge of God. Anselm is especially known for two highly influential theological arguments. The first argument—Proslogion—explores the existence of God. Secondly, his treatise Cur Deus Homo irrevocably shaped the development of Christian theology by arguing that Jesus’ crucifixion was necessary to atone for humankind’s sin. Anselm argues that through sin, humans offended God, and God is owed restitution for this offense—but we have nothing with which to make such a payment. Personal acts of atonement will not suffice. Only God can pay off such massive, crushing debt. As God is merciful, atonement is made with the self-sacrifice of the sinless, human, and divine figure of Jesus. Anselm’s theory was criticized by his contemporaries and continues to trouble some theologians, even as it has formed the backbone of much of Christian
theology for a millennium.
Anselm died in 1109 on Spy Wednesday (the Wednesday in Holy Week) and was laid to rest at Canterbury Cathedral. The exact location of his relics today is uncertain—they were removed after a cataclysmic fire in the 1170s. Anselm’s feast day is April 21.
Collect for Anselm of Canterbury
Almighty God, you raised up your servant Anselm to teach the Church of his day to understand its faith in your eternal Being, perfect justice, and saving mercy: Provide your Church in every age with devout and learned scholars and teachers, that we may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Florence Nightingale
Known as “The Lady with the Lamp” for her work as a nurse during the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy, in 1820 to a well-connected British family. Despite her upper-class background, Nightingale heard a call from God in 1837 to serve and care for others. Nightingale was expected to marry well, produce children, and carry on the family legacy. Instead, she boldly answered the call she heard from God and became the founder of modern nursing practice.
Born out of her experiences of tending the wounded during the Crimean War, Nightingale began documenting the effects of sanitary conditions on wartime injuries. Nightingale is said to have reduced the mortality rate during the war from 42 percent to 2 percent by addressing hand washing, water contamination, and sterilization of surgical materials. These ideals of sanitary care continue to this day in modern healthcare practice.
Nightingale documented her theories on nursing care in numerous publications—the most famous is her treatise, Notes on Nursing. These theories led her to establish the Nightingale School for Nurses at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London (now part of King’s College, London). This began a process of social reform that opened the door for women, providing them with skills that led to careers outside of domestic service work or factory positions. By providing a skilled nursing force, Nightingale improved healthcare disparities in London and implemented workforce healthcare (now occupational and public health nursing practice); she also advocated for hunger relief in India and worked to abolish prostitution laws that targeted women.
Nightingale was raised in the Church of England and was greatly influenced by Wesleyan ideals. Nightingale believed that her faith was best expressed through the care and love of others. A believer in universal reconciliation, Nightingale is said to have comforted one prostitute who was concerned about going to hell. Nightingale said, “Oh, my girl, are you not now more merciful than the God you think you are going to? Yet the real God is far more merciful than any human creature ever was or can ever imagine.”
Collect for Florence Nightingale
Life-giving God, you alone have power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the lead of your servant Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them your presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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337 comments on “Anselm of Canterbury vs. Florence Nightingale”
Where would we be without the courageous Florence Nightengale?
Florence is the grandmother of the modern deaconate. She took her training at a German school for deaconess before beginning her work in England.
My vote was for Florence
My grandmother was named after Florence Nightengale.
As a former nurse and one who has been greatly influenced by Wesleyan ideals, I voted for Florence Nightingale.
The choice of Nightingale was easy for me. I did not consider voting for Anselm because I think his atonement theory has done more harm than good. Besides her magnificent work in nursing and public health, which still has positive influence today, Nightingale had, in my opinion, a truer idea of the nature of God than Anselm had. This is shown in her words of comfort to the prostitute. Too many people believe in a god who is even more narrow and vicious than they are.
I did vote for Florence, was not my plan going into it but the piece written about Anselm of Canterbury was difficult to understand for some reason.. just me I guess, but I usually love the way the descriptions are written so as everyone can understand and have their say . Enjoying Lent Madness as always, look forward to it each day.. Keep up the wonderful work 🙂
Still mourning the lovely Saint Cecilia. Alas.
I admire Anslem but gotta go with Flo.
Poor Anselm. Up against Florence Nightingale on international women's day. Yep - she's got my vote too.
I first learned about Florence Nightingale through a 1951 film "The Lady with a Lamp," starring Anna Neagle, but a few years later I read Lytton Strachey's acidulous portrait of her in "Eminent Victorians." The latter turned me off on her almost completely, but over the decades, as I have come to know more and more about her, she has risen in my estimation, chiefly because she practiced a rational faith based solidly on an understanding and acceptance of natural science: "The voice of statistics is the voice of God" may be the best statement of this attitude ever made. Her creation of modern health care practice has benefited millions, if not billions, of people around the world. Anselm, not so much. Brilliant but flawed theologian, with lots of nice people and institutions named after him, but that's about it. So of these two very dissimilar saints born in what is or was Italy, I remain soundly in the camp of the Lady with the Lamp! (Couldn't resist ending with that cheer--clap yo' hands on SOUND, CAMP, LAY, and LAMP!)
I appreciate Florence's admonition "not only to heal, but to bless." One of the challenges of modern health care is to be sure we do both. Florence reminds us that when we are ill both the body and the soul need TLC.
I really thought I was going to vote for Anselm, because a medieval philosopher appealed to me and because I assumed that Nightingale would get the "popular vote." I was going to try to support the "ancient" saint this time. But I found myself troubled by the Cur Deus Homo doctrine. It seemed like Pilate Pontius' argument writ large: one man should die for the sins of others. And I balked. And then was swept away by Florence Nightingale's answering a Call and at the same time employing scientific method. I was charmed. And she was a Wesleyan! and merciful. To me she represents the best of Victorianism. I remember last year the nuns who fought yellow fever were quite the belles of the Lent Madness ball. I wonder if Florence Nightingale might not be likewise (and justly) popular this year. Well, I will help fill her dance card. I will give my vote to Florence Nightingale. And ask for this waltz.
Groggy with sleep. Of course meant Pontius Pilate.
As nurse with a BSN and a Mater s of Theological Studies from VTS, how can I not not for my hero in both nursing and acting out her theology in her work caring for the sick and wounded? Go Florence!
What an easy choice, and how appropriate that Florence is a contender on International Women's Day! (Did the SEC plan this?) Also, my mom is a nurse, so GO FLO!
International Women's Day! Florence, of course!
Anselm of Canterbury "discovered" karma, in typical Western fashion: thousands of years after a lot of browner people had always known about it.
Florence Nightingale actually did something new for Christianity: suggested that God is more compassionate than his extremely unkind followers. She also improved the lot of women in Western society.
Florence should win it all! What a difference she made to our world!
On Women's Day how could I not vote for Florence! I also like her theology!
I voted for Florence because when she comforted theprostitue I thought that was so amazing so I voted for her
Today is a day when women are not to spend money. Today is when women are supposed to act in ways that indicate to a chauvinistic world their value. So, I voted for the woman!
Just reading up and there was much I didn't know about Florence Nightingale. I was leaning toward academia, but her spiritual caring bought tears to my eyes. Florence it is!
My first year of Nursing School (when dinosaurs roamed the earth) I was cast in a production of "Florence Nightingale, This Is Your Life!". Suffice it to say between that and the ensuing 3 plus decades of practice, Nightingale it is today. Yesterday my Canadian self was swayed, and now it's Forence. I have to add though that while still holding Anselm with esteem, penal substitutionary atonement theory doesn't make my soul sing.
For Anselm of Canterbury and Florence Nightingale
(Tune: Woodlands – Hymnal ’82, 438 or Birmingham – Hymnal ’82 437)
Tell out our souls, the wonders of God’s saints.
Make known their deeds and their humanity.
Their lives proclaim a call to love and serve;
Through words and deeds that make our hearts rejoice.
Anselm was kind to those within his care.
Not fond of royal powers he’d not be swayed.
His thoughts of God were logical but stern.
Yet he proclaimed, through Christ our debt is paid.
Seeing great need, not wealth or social norms
Could keep this woman from her holy call.
Dirtied her hands in blood and muck and filth;
Saved lives, gave hope, she surely gave her all.
Very nice!
Finally! Diane gives us the hymn du jour!
I think we have to remember that Anselm was writing in opposition to the Ransom theory of Atonement, which I like a lot, but does lead to the danger of setting up Satan as a co-equal actor.
I can't imagine that Anselm could have seen infinite justice and infinite mercy in opposition to each other, and I highly doubt that he saw infinite justice and infinite mercy appearing sequentially. I suspect that for him the two were complementary and simultaneous.
Once again, I'd like to think that for Anselm's contemporaries, his theory of atonement was good news about God, and that it could be for us today if we had the imagination and empathy to approach him without the filter of his degenerate successors.
I like the phrase "degenerate successors." Somewhat anxious though if you are including us. We are trying to hard to get to Canterbury. I can well imagine it applied to Renaissance popes though.
Love the unintentional irony of Florence on International Women's Day, and all that she did for women. A faithful pioneer. Besides which, cleanliness is next to godliness!
I appreciate the theology of Anselm, and his bravery in standing up to royalty. But as I am an ill former nurse, Nightingale has my sympathy. I'm in awe that much of her work was done during the decades when she was unable to leave her bedroom due to serious illness.
In honor of International Women's Day, I voted for Florence Nightingale and her indefatigable spirit of service. I pray the health care so worked and advocated for is never compromised!
In spite of it being International Women's Day, and as a huge admirer of Florence Nightingale (I assume that her invention of the pie chart will come up in another round), I have cast my vote for Anselm. In an age where thinking is under threat, we need to stand up for those who think clearly and beautifully to address the issues of their day as Anselm did. We should not hold Anselm responsible for what later interpreters did to his thought. I am also drawn to him because of the lovely relationship he had with the young monks in his charge. (And much as I admire Florence, I do have concerns about her treatment and acceptance of nurses of other races.)
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Amen. I'm not impressed (and am turned off by) those voting for Nightingale because it's International Women's Day. Let's put Rowan Williams in the bracket in the future on International Vacillation Day and watch him win the Golden Halo.
Florence brought mercy and kindness amid the horrors of war. Anselm, however prayerfully he thought through his theology, left us heirs to substitutionary atonement, and the church has been digging out from under the psychological harm that that induces for a millennium or more. GO, FLORENCE!
Anselm the Resistor died on Spy Wednesday?! (And the relics disappeared in a fire. Riiight -- sounds like a conspiracy theory to be investigated forthwith.) How can Anselm NOT be the patron saint of Lent Madness 2017?
Oh, Supreme Executive Committee, we need liking, loving, laughing and the occasional "Oh, pleeeese" buttons for the comments. They're such fun to read, but attaching a comment is sometimes more what we (I) really want to do. 🙂
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