Gerard of Abbeville (1220-1272) was a theologian from the

University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...

. He formally became a theologian in 1257 and from then was known as an opponent of the mendicant orders, particularly in the second stage of the conflict, taking part in a concerted attack that temporarily affected their privileges. His ''Contra adversarium perfectionis christianae'' of c. 1269, in support of

William of St Amour William of Saint-Amour was an early figure in thirteenth-century scholasticism, chiefly notable for his withering attacks on the friars. Biography William was born in Saint-Amour, Jura, then part of the Duchy of Burgundy, in c. 1200. Under the ...

, argued that extreme emphasis on poverty contradicted the Aristotelian doctrine of the mean and undermined the basis of pastoral work. It provoked replies from

Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas, OP (; it, Tommaso d'Aquino, lit=Thomas of Aquino; 1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican friar and priest who was an influential philosopher, theologian and jurist in the tradition of scholasticism; he is known wi ...

and

Bonaventure Bonaventure ( ; it, Bonaventura ; la, Bonaventura de Balneoregio; 1221 – 15 July 1274), born Giovanni di Fidanza, was an Italian Catholic Franciscan, bishop, cardinal, scholastic theologian and philosopher. The seventh Minister G ...

. From the

Franciscan The Franciscans are a group of related Mendicant orders, mendicant Christianity, Christian Catholic religious order, religious orders within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1209 by Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi, these orders include t ...

side, Bonaventure wrote ''Apologia pauperum'', and

John Peckham John Peckham (c. 1230 – 8 December 1292) was Archbishop of Canterbury in the years 1279–1292. He was a native of Sussex who was educated at Lewes Priory and became a Friar Minor about 1250. He studied at the University of Paris under B ...

wrote his ''Tractatus pauperis''. The Dominican Aquinas wrote his case on the "state of perfection" in ''De Perfectione Vitae Spiritualis contra Doctrinam Retrahentium a Religione'' (1270). On

trinitarian The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Fa ...

theology, however, Gerard was much closer to the emerging Franciscan view. With Aquinas, he was one of the developers of the ''

quodlibet A quodlibet (; Latin for "whatever you wish" from ''quod'', "what" and '' libet'', "pleases") is a musical composition that combines several different melodies—usually popular tunes—in counterpoint, and often in a light-hearted, humorous man ...

'' genre of open philosophical discussion, flourishing for about a century from his time. His polemics used a combination of quodlibets and sermons. He was a major benefactor to the

Sorbonne Sorbonne may refer to: * Sorbonne (building), historic building in Paris, which housed the University of Paris and is now shared among multiple universities. *the University of Paris (c. 1150 – 1970) *one of its components or linked institution, ...

library, leaving it around 300 books and manuscripts; his collection was based on that of

Richard de Fournival Richard de Fournival or Richart de Fornival (1201 – ?1260) was a medieval philosopher and trouvère perhaps best known for the '' Bestiaire d'amour'' ("The Bestiary of Love"). Life Richard de Fournival was born in Amiens on October 10, 1201. He ...

, outstanding in Europe in his time.Jeremiah Hackett, ''Roger Bacon and the Sciences: Commemorative Essays'' (1997), p. 16.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gerard Of Abbeville People from Abbeville 1272 deaths 13th-century French Catholic theologians Scholastic philosophers Year of birth unknown 1220 births