What is the “Franciscan Intellectual Tradition”? Can it be a public voice in today’s church, today’s post-modern world? Is the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition about book-learning, academic study; or about a set of theologically informed values, based on the theological intuitions of Francis of Assisi, that comprise a distinct view of the world? Initially the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition had a profound influence on the shape of Franciscan evangelical life. The writings of Celano and Bonaventure formulated a synthesis of evangelical life and evangelical theology. This synthesis collapsed in later years leaving an elite school of thought divorced from the tradition of Franciscan life. The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition then developed as a “tradition within a tradition”. Recently efforts have been made to renew the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition in light of Franciscan evangelical life.
Provided by the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual & Spiritual Tradition (CFIT)