Into God

Into God: Itinerarium Mentis in Deum of Saint Bonaventure, the title of Regis Armstrong’s new translation of Saint Bonaventure’s Itinerarium Mentis in Deum, is an accessible rendition of one of the most important and influential works of Christian theology in the 13^th century. Itinerarium Mentis in Deum, which has also been translated as The Soul’s Journey into God and The Mind’s Road to God, leads readers through the process of understanding God, first through perceiving material things, then by looking within oneself, and finally by looking above oneself to God, all with the goal of being drawn into God. Patterned after Francis of Assisi’s vision of seraphim, Bonaventure imagines a ladder with six rungs that lead into God. The text itself, a mix of theology and philosophy, is divided into a prologue and seven chapters, which start with creation and end with the mystical union of God.

Armstrong, who has spent his career studying and translating the early Franciscan authors, is uniquely qualified for translating the Itinerarium. He has published translations of medieval texts by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. These previous translations have provided Armstrong with the necessary skills to take on his current endeavor. Medieval Latin texts are difficult to render into modern English, and this is certainly true of a text like the one translated here, which deals with complex theological and philosophical concepts.

Several English translations of Bonaventure’s work  have been published in the past century and a half by scholars such as James O’Mahony and Philotheus Boehner. Therefore, is another English translation necessary? Frankly, not really, yet Armstrong’s translation is desirable because it comes from a different perspective and includes a valuable commentary on the text. While previous translators have approached the text from the perspective of philosophy or systematic theology, Armstrong approaches the text from the perspective of historical theology. He is interested in examining the sources and contexts which influenced the text itself, while others have been mainly interested in using Bonaventure’s other works to interpret the Itinerarium. Armstrong’s unique goals result in a unique translation and commentary, which makes it a valuable resource for those seeking to understand Bonaventure and his works from a historical perspective. In truth, Armstrong has created more than a translation. He has created an educational resource.

            Armstrong provides the Latin text side-by-side with his translation. This arrangement is quite common in other scholarly translations, allowing readers to easily examine the original language alongside the translation. Armstrong’s translation is good. He meticulously points out his translation choices in the endnotes to the text, explaining how and why he made his decisions. Even if a reader does not agree with all of Armstrong’s word choices or phrasings, they will still understand his rationale as a translator.

The commentary by Armstrong is technically provided as endnotes, though together it forms an entire section of the book. At 187 pages, it is longer than the Latin and English texts combined, which comprise only 145 pages. Armstrong explains that endnotes are used in order to allow readers to approach the text with a more meditative and contemplative mindset. This effect is achieved, yet researchers will undoubtedly find it to be a bit of a hassle to flip back and forth as they explore the text. Armstrong’s commentary, which is itself meticulously footnoted with numerous references to both primary and secondary sources, is in-depth and illuminating. Armstrong uses the commentary to provide context, make connections to other writers and texts, and describe his choices as a translator. For example, Armstrong devotes multiple pages to explaining his choice to translate “speculatione” as “circum-spection”. Armstrong uses “circum-spection” to capitalize on the root of the word (speculatio)  and emphasize that Bonaventure seeks to have his readers observe the world around them.

Armstrong has succeeded in creating an understandable translation and commentary that can be used in college classrooms. This is no small accomplishment, since Bonaventure’s work is philosophical and at times highly abstract. Armstrong situates the text in its historical context, and his commentary explains Bonaventure’s meaning and references in simple and accessible prose. In fact, the commentary is almost itself a type of college course, exhaustively exploring the nuances of a single text. Students may have to flip back and forth between the translation and the commentary, yet this is a minor hinderance in an otherwise wonderful book.

Justin S. Kirkland earned a PhD in history from the University of Iowa.

Justin Kirkland

Date Of Review:

November 10, 2023