Nicolas-Sylvestre Bergier
Encyclopedia
Nicolas-Sylvestre Bergier (31 December 1715 – 9 April 1790) was a French Catholic theologian. He was a critic of the philosophes, accusing them in particular of distorting the facts on social life in China
and Confucianism
.
in Lorraine
. After a course of theology in the University of Besançon, he received the degree of doctor, was ordained priest, and went to Paris to finish his studies. Returning to Besançon
in 1748, he was given charge of a parish and later became president of the college of the city, which had formerly been under the direction of the Jesuits.
In 1769 the Archbishop of Paris
, Christophe de Beaumont
, appointed him canon of the cathedral, and from then on Bergier resided at Paris. He died at Versailles
.
, but found himself obliged to write entirely original articles which then formed the Dictionnaire de theologie as a part of the Encyclopédie. The works of Bergier are in the fields of apologetics
and theology, except for Les elements primitifs des langues (Besançon, 1764) and L'origine des dieux du paganisme (Paris, 1767).
Among his apologetical and theological works, the most important are:
The Dictionnaire theologique has been often edited, especially by Gousset
in 8 vols. (Besançon, 1838) and Migne (Paris, 1850). Some of his writings concerning divorce
, the question of the mercy of God and the origin of evil, and one volume of sermons were published after his death. On certain points, as on the questions of grace and the supernatural necessity of revelation, the doctrine of Bergier lacks precision and completeness.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
.
Life
Bergier was born at DarneyDarney
Darney is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.It is located in the Vôge Plateau, around the location of the source of the river Saône. Darney is known for its forest of oak and beech trees.-History:...
in Lorraine
Lorraine (province)
The Duchy of Upper Lorraine was an historical duchy roughly corresponding with the present-day northeastern Lorraine region of France, including parts of modern Luxembourg and Germany. The main cities were Metz, Verdun, and the historic capital Nancy....
. After a course of theology in the University of Besançon, he received the degree of doctor, was ordained priest, and went to Paris to finish his studies. Returning to Besançon
Besançon
Besançon , is the capital and principal city of the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It had a population of about 237,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2008...
in 1748, he was given charge of a parish and later became president of the college of the city, which had formerly been under the direction of the Jesuits.
In 1769 the Archbishop of Paris
Archbishop of Paris
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Paris is one of twenty-three archdioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in France. The original diocese is traditionally thought to have been created in the 3rd century by St. Denis and corresponded with the Civitas Parisiorum; it was elevated to an archdiocese on...
, Christophe de Beaumont
Christophe de Beaumont
Christophe de Beaumont , French ecclesiastic and archbishop of Paris, was a cadet of the Les Adrets and Saint-Quentin branch of the illustrious Dauphin family of Beaumont....
, appointed him canon of the cathedral, and from then on Bergier resided at Paris. He died at Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
.
Works
A pious priest and an energetic student, he devoted a great part of his time to writing in defence of religion. He agreed to correct certain articles of the EncyclopédieEncyclopédie
Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers was a general encyclopedia published in France between 1751 and 1772, with later supplements, revised editions, and translations. It was edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert...
, but found himself obliged to write entirely original articles which then formed the Dictionnaire de theologie as a part of the Encyclopédie. The works of Bergier are in the fields of apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
and theology, except for Les elements primitifs des langues (Besançon, 1764) and L'origine des dieux du paganisme (Paris, 1767).
Among his apologetical and theological works, the most important are:
- "Le déisme refuté par lui-même" (Paris, 1765);
- "La certitude des preuves du christianisme" (Paris, 1767, also published in MigneMignéMigné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
's "Démonstrations évangéliques", XI); - "Reponses aux Conseils raisonnables de Voltaire" (Paris, 1771, also in Migne, ibid.);
- "Apologie de la religion chrétienne" - against d'Holbach's "Christianisme devoilé" (Paris, 1769);
- "Réfutation des principaux articles du dictionnaire philosophique";
- "Examen du matérialisme" (Paris, 1771);
- "Traité historique et dogmatique de la vraie religion" (Paris, 1780, and 8 vols. 8vo., 1820).
The Dictionnaire theologique has been often edited, especially by Gousset
Gousset
Gousset was a component of late Medieval armor. During the transition from mail to plate armor, sections of mail covered parts of the body that were not protected by steel plate. These sections of mail were known as gousset. Gousset came into use in the fourteenth century as plate became a...
in 8 vols. (Besançon, 1838) and Migne (Paris, 1850). Some of his writings concerning divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
, the question of the mercy of God and the origin of evil, and one volume of sermons were published after his death. On certain points, as on the questions of grace and the supernatural necessity of revelation, the doctrine of Bergier lacks precision and completeness.