The Discoverers (Knowledge Series Book 2)

by Daniel J. Boorstin

Astrology remained the bête noire of the Christian Church Fathers. Faith in a star-written destiny had dissuaded Romans, such as Emperor Tiberius, from paying homage even to their pagan gods. Tertullian (c. 160–c. 230) warned against astrology because “men, presuming that we are disposed of by the immutable arbitrament of the stars, think on that account that God is not to be sought after.” Shrewd Christian theologians of the Middle Ages managed to find holy uses for the widespread belief in astral powers. Both Albertus Magnus and Saint Thomas Aquinas admitted the strong governing influence of the stars, but they insisted that man’s freedom was his very power to resist that influence. Even if astrologers often did make true predictions, Aquinas explains, these usually concerned, events in which large numbers of men were involved. In such cases the passions of the many would prevail against the rational wisdom of the few; but the individual Christian’s free will had not been exercised.