Thoughts on the Asinus Controversy
Thoughts on the Asinus Controversy J. Neil Daniels The asinus controversy, a term derived from the Latin word asinus meaning "donkey," refers to a speculative theological debate that emerged within late medieval nominalism, particularly among the followers of William of Ockham and his intellectual successors. The controversy centers on the question: Could the Son of God have become incarnate as a donkey (or in some other non-human form) rather than as a man, and still accomplished the redemption of humanity? Background: Nominalism and Divine Omnipotence Within late scholastic theology, particularly in nominalist circles, theologians were deeply interested in the scope of God's absolute power ( potentia absoluta ) versus His ordained power ( potentia ordinata ). According to this distinction: Potentia absoluta refers to what God can do in principle, unrestricted by any particular decree or order. Potentia ordinata refers to what God has willed to do within the ac...