My research focuses on the reception of Neoplatonism in the early modern world with a particular interest in the influence of Nicholas of Cusa and the Cambridge Platonists. My dissertation examined the moral theology of the Cambridge Platonist, Peter Sterry. Supervisors: Prof. Torrance Kirby
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World, 2019
This volume sheds new light on Cusanus’ relationship to early modernity by focusing on the reform... more This volume sheds new light on Cusanus’ relationship to early modernity by focusing on the reform of church, the reform of theology, the reform of perspective, and the reform of method – which together aim to encompass the breadth and depth of Cusanus’ own reform initiatives. In particular, in examining the way in which he served as inspiration for a wide and diverse array of reform-minded philosophers, ecclesiastics, theologians, and lay scholars in the midst of their struggle for the renewal and restoration of the individual, society, and the world, our volume combines a focus on Cusanus as a paradigmatic thinker with a study of his concrete influence on early modern thought. This volume is aimed at scholars working in the field of late medieval and early modern philosophy, theology, and history of science. As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Revisioning Cambridge Platonism: Sources and Legacy, 2019
Scholarly treatments of Peter Sterry and the Cambridge Platonists often view their reception of P... more Scholarly treatments of Peter Sterry and the Cambridge Platonists often view their reception of Platonism as radically different from their Puritan or Calvinist contemporaries. This essay focuses on three individuals, John Sherman, Girolamo Zanchi, and Peter Sterry, in order to clarify the variety of opinions regarding the value of Platonism for Christian theology among Protestant theologians in the Early Modern period. An example of this comes from John Sherman's use of the Reformed scholastic, Girolamo Zanchi in a treatise that he delivered in the Trinity College chapel in 1641. In this treatise entitled A Greek in the Temple, Sherman argues for a pious reception of pagan wisdom based on the concept of perennial philosophy, ideas which led the early 20th century historian J.B. Mullinger to conclude that Sherman was the original influence behind Cambridge Platonism. Yet, Sherman claims to receive many of these ideas from Zanchi, an Aristotelian who recommends Ficino and Steuco's works in his writings and refers to Plotinus as “homo Christianus.” Peter Sterry was undoubtably familiar with Zanchi, though Sterry takes greater liberty in the ideas that he borrows from the Platonists and he rejects the Aristotelian method in favor of the method of coincidence developed by Nicholas Cusanus.
Presented at the conference, "Why Protestantism: Grace Worth Fighting For" at Patrick Henry College, September 28, 2019, sponsored by the Davenant Institute, 2019
Reformed philosophers utilized, across the board, a participatory ontology, that is to say, they ... more Reformed philosophers utilized, across the board, a participatory ontology, that is to say, they promoted a philosophy that centered on the idea that created being participates in the divine Being. From John Calvin’s use of philosophy to Philip Melanchthon Reformed philosophers were broadly Augustinian in their notion of union with God. This presentation shows how two lesser known theologians, Girolamo Zanchi (16th cent.) and the Cambridge Platonist, Peter Sterry (17th) made use of an explicitly Platonic metaphysics to articulate a participatory ontology.
Convegno internazionale in occasione dell’uscita del volume
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of th... more Convegno internazionale in occasione dell’uscita del volume Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World, 2019
This volume sheds new light on Cusanus’ relationship to early modernity by focusing on the reform... more This volume sheds new light on Cusanus’ relationship to early modernity by focusing on the reform of church, the reform of theology, the reform of perspective, and the reform of method – which together aim to encompass the breadth and depth of Cusanus’ own reform initiatives. In particular, in examining the way in which he served as inspiration for a wide and diverse array of reform-minded philosophers, ecclesiastics, theologians, and lay scholars in the midst of their struggle for the renewal and restoration of the individual, society, and the world, our volume combines a focus on Cusanus as a paradigmatic thinker with a study of his concrete influence on early modern thought. This volume is aimed at scholars working in the field of late medieval and early modern philosophy, theology, and history of science. As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Revisioning Cambridge Platonism: Sources and Legacy, 2019
Scholarly treatments of Peter Sterry and the Cambridge Platonists often view their reception of P... more Scholarly treatments of Peter Sterry and the Cambridge Platonists often view their reception of Platonism as radically different from their Puritan or Calvinist contemporaries. This essay focuses on three individuals, John Sherman, Girolamo Zanchi, and Peter Sterry, in order to clarify the variety of opinions regarding the value of Platonism for Christian theology among Protestant theologians in the Early Modern period. An example of this comes from John Sherman's use of the Reformed scholastic, Girolamo Zanchi in a treatise that he delivered in the Trinity College chapel in 1641. In this treatise entitled A Greek in the Temple, Sherman argues for a pious reception of pagan wisdom based on the concept of perennial philosophy, ideas which led the early 20th century historian J.B. Mullinger to conclude that Sherman was the original influence behind Cambridge Platonism. Yet, Sherman claims to receive many of these ideas from Zanchi, an Aristotelian who recommends Ficino and Steuco's works in his writings and refers to Plotinus as “homo Christianus.” Peter Sterry was undoubtably familiar with Zanchi, though Sterry takes greater liberty in the ideas that he borrows from the Platonists and he rejects the Aristotelian method in favor of the method of coincidence developed by Nicholas Cusanus.
Presented at the conference, "Why Protestantism: Grace Worth Fighting For" at Patrick Henry College, September 28, 2019, sponsored by the Davenant Institute, 2019
Reformed philosophers utilized, across the board, a participatory ontology, that is to say, they ... more Reformed philosophers utilized, across the board, a participatory ontology, that is to say, they promoted a philosophy that centered on the idea that created being participates in the divine Being. From John Calvin’s use of philosophy to Philip Melanchthon Reformed philosophers were broadly Augustinian in their notion of union with God. This presentation shows how two lesser known theologians, Girolamo Zanchi (16th cent.) and the Cambridge Platonist, Peter Sterry (17th) made use of an explicitly Platonic metaphysics to articulate a participatory ontology.
Convegno internazionale in occasione dell’uscita del volume
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of th... more Convegno internazionale in occasione dell’uscita del volume Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019
Uploads
As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World
ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019
As the first Anglophone volume to explore the early modern reception of Nicholas of Cusa, this work will provide an important complement to a growing number of companions focusing on his life and thought.
Nicholas of Cusa and the Making of the Early Modern World
ed. by S.J. Burton, J. Hollmann, E.M. Parker, Brill 2019