Anselm (1033-1109) was born in northern Italy. Anselm moved to England after the death of his mother. He entered a monastery and later became archbishop of Canterbury. His refusal to give the king authority over the church led to his banishment. During this time he wrote Why God Man where he stated that only the death of Christ could cancel the debt of sin. This was in opposition to the common belief at that time that Christ’s death was a ransom paid to Satan. He wrote many other scholarly and devotional works during his lifetime. He wouldn’t allow others, regardless of their authority, to sway him from the truth or from his convictions.
