On the Cessation of the Laws

Robert Grosseteste (ca. 1168--1253) was an unusual and exceptional man:
from the lowest social class yet greatly admired by kings and popes; a
scientist but also a philosopher and theologian; a talented administrator
and a successful teacher; a pastor doggedly devoted to the care of his
flock but also a scholar dedicated to the translation of early Christian
fathers and Aristotle; loyal to the pope but fearless and bold in calling
for the reform of the curia.
On the Cessation of the Laws directly reflects the profundity and
originality of Grosseteste's theological work and indirectly reveals his
pastoral concerns. The work consists of four books. In the first, Grosseteste
offers arguments mostly from Scripture against the position that
he wishes to defend and then counters these arguments with a lengthy
treatment of the whole economy of creation and salvation and the place
of the Scriptures, Old and New, in it. The second attempts to show from
clear Old Testament texts that the crucified Jesus was the savior promised
in the Law. The third is dominated by theological arguments for the
incarnation of Christ even if humanity had not sinned, and the fourth
addresses a cluster of questions that follow upon the death of the Law.
In On the Cessation of the Laws, Grosseteste draws out the theological,
christological, and soteriological issues implicit in the question of
the relationship between the Old and New Covenants.

Stephen M. Hildebrand is associate professor of theology and director of the graduate theology program at Franciscan University of Steubenville.