Lesser-Known Figures in the History of Christianity
John of Cornwall (c. 1176) – Theologian, Scholar, and Defender of Christ’s Humanity
If you’ve never heard of John of Cornwall, you’re not alone. He’s the kind of medieval thinker buried so deep in history that even church historians have to dig for him. But every now and then, these forgotten figures surface—asking questions we didn’t think anybody asked.
Who Was He?
John of Cornwall was an English theologian active in the late 12th century. He’s best known for his work Eulogium ad Alexandrum Papam Tertium (“A Eulogy to Pope Alexander III”), written around 1176. Think of it like an RIP blog today. In it, he defended Christ’s full humanity against the views of his ultra-rationalist, controversy-laden mentor, Peter Abelard, who had suggested that Christ’s humanity was more of a vessel for the divine Logos rather than a true, essential human nature (a sort of refined Apollinarianism). John rightly pushed back, arguing that Christ’s human nature was real, intact, and necessary for redemption.
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The Harrowing of Hell and Judas
That brings us to his most lesser-known (does that even make sense?) contribution. In discussing the Harrowing of Hell—the idea that Christ stormed hell when He descended into the underworld to rescue the righteous dead—John of Cornwall seems to suggest the possibility that even Judas Iscariot could have received mercy.
Now, to be clear, John wasn’t making an argument for Judas’s salvation. He was emphasizing the greatness of Christ’s mercy, leaving open the possibility that it could extend even to the most notorious traitor in history. He never outright declared Judas saved—he just didn’t slam the door shut on it. As you might guess, this idea didn’t gain traction. Most at the time wouldn’t even entertain the possibility of Judas’s redemption. Interestingly, such discussions are more common today than in medieval theology. I guess we’re just more gracious. Or we’re just bigger sinners!
John remains a footnote in medieval theology, overshadowed by more prominent figures like Thomas Aquinas or Bernard of Clairvaux.
So, Why Does He Matter?
So, why does this obscure dude matter? Because history is full of thinkers who wrestled with deep theological questions in ways that challenge and expand our understanding. That comforts me.
John of Cornwall may not have shaped doctrine alongside the scholastics, but his willingness to ask big questions and take on heavyweights (and be right!) reminds us that theology is never a closed conversation.
Ever heard of him before? Neither had I. But now we have. I love finding these hidden gems, buried in holes so deep even church historians and archaeologists fear to descend.
*Not to be confused the with man with the same name (ironically, living close to the same time) who wrote Prophecies of Merlin.
**No known picture of him exists. In fact, the picture above may be the first attempt ever at making a likeness of him! That’s how obscure he is.
If you like these. I can keep them coming. Or at least I’ll try.
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