University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Doi
Abstract
In the year 1300 the Catalan physician Arnold of Villanova caused a controversy at the University of Paris when he presented his predictions about the advent of the Antichrist to the theology faculty. Arnold’s attempt to interpret Scripture and publicly announce his conclusions challenged the scholastic theologians’ conception of their own authority to educate the public in religious matters. However, prophecy proved to be as controversial among theologians as it was between theologians and non-specialists. Arnold’s most prominent critics, the Dominican theologian John of Paris and the secular theologian Henry of Harclay offered significantly different alternatives to Arnold’s prophetic vision. Just as with Arnold’s claims, these views were tied to the public authority of theologians. These differences demonstrate that the authority of the theologian was not only challenged by outsiders such as Arnold of Villanova, but also contested internally between secular and mendicant clergy.Master of Art
