Jean Gerson 1363 – 1429
Jean Charlier de Gerson was a French theologian, mystic, and chancellor of the University of Paris and one of the leading figures of the late medieval conciliar movement. He played a central role at the Council of Constance, which ended the Western Schism and condemned the doctrines of Hus and Wycliffe. His many treatises developed both the philosophical case for conciliarism, the doctrine that a general council of the Church is superior in authority to the pope, and a practical theology of mystical experience accessible to ordinary Christians. He spent his last years in exile teaching children at Lyon.
Key facts
- Nationality
- French
- Era
- Medieval
- Movements
- Scholasticism, Medieval, Christian
Selected quotes
-
Attributed to Jean Gerson:
“The good of the Church is greater than the will of any pope.”
-
Attributed to Jean Gerson:
“Mystical theology is the science of love.”
-
Attributed to Jean Gerson:
“True devotion seeks not its own consolation but the glory of God.”
-
Attributed to Jean Gerson:
“A council, not the pope alone, is the supreme authority of the Church.”
-
Attributed to Jean Gerson:
“Mystical theology is open to the simple as well as to the learned.”