Ars brevis and Ars abbreviata praedicanda, versio latinus II - d6ad117447ab76dfdbb6b0a8ecf71ccc (page 33)

This manuscript includes two texts by notable Catalan philosopher, theologian, and mystic of the High Middle Ages, Ramon Llull (Ramon Llull or Raimundus Lullus; 1232-1316), Ars brevis, and Ars abbreviata praedicandi. Llull explained his system of thought, his great “Art,” in many works over the course of his life. Perhaps the most influential was the Ars brevis, written in Pisa c. 1307-1308. In Llull’s words, “the subject of this art primarily consists in demonstrating the truth of the holy Catholic faith…to those who are ignorant of it, as well as reassuring those who already know and believe it…” He constructed a system of thought attempting to prove Christian mysteries such as the Incarnation and the Trinity using arguments acceptable to the faith not only of Christian believers, but also to those of Islamic and Jewish faith. An integral part of the text of the Ars brevis are a number of charts and figures. Though the Ars brevis was broadly disseminated, Llull’s initial works explaining his “Art” were not greeted warmly by his contemporaries. Ars abbreviata praedicanda is one of several Latin treatises Llull composed on preaching between 1312-1313. His aim to reach audiences who were not Christian was reflected in his theory of preaching; he sought to replace the use of authorities from scripture with a system of moral instruction that would be accepted not only by Christians, but also by non-Christians.