Boethius

Boethius is a name that all Christians should know. However, he is practically unknown to the average Christian today. Yet, his legacy endures, and his influence remains steadfast if not fully appreciated. His most enduring work, The Consolation of Philosophy, is a conversation between himself and Lady Philosophy. As the personification of wisdom, she guides him through his grief at being unjustly accused of treason, only to lead him to new heights as he contemplates the essence of God, the source and wellspring of everlasting happiness. One cannot but notice Boethius’s inner dialogue with Platonism, right down to the poetry Boethius includes in his Consolation. Boethius also translated many works of Aristotle into Latin and dreamed of translating all major works of Greek antiquity into Latin. He was a man who understood the importance of keeping history alive in our minds. That is why this keeps the memory of Boethius alive for our generation and the next. In this issue of Credo, scholars, pastors, and students reflect on the lasting impact of Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius and why we must retrieve him today.