The Summa Theologica is a theological text written by St. Thomas Aquinas between 1265 and 1274. It is Aquinas’ most famous work and represents the pinnacle of scholastic theology. The Summa is divided into three major parts and covers the breadth of Catholic theology and philosophy. It aims to present the teachings of the Catholic Church in a systematic and comprehensive way.
The first part of the Summa considers God and his existence, essence, attributes, and triune nature. Aquinas presents five arguments for the existence of God including the cosmological argument, teleological argument, and ontological argument. He defends divine simplicity, goodness, omnipotence, and providence. The treatise on the Trinity explains the biblical and philosophical basis for this doctrine. Aquinas also examines the names, knowledge, will, power, and beatitude of God.
The second part explores ethics and morality from a Christian perspective. It defines key concepts like law, sin, grace, virtue, and vice. Aquinas explains the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity as well as the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Questions about conscience, emotion, and human action are considered. This section provides a framework for Christian discernment of right and wrong.
The third part focuses on the person of Jesus Christ and the sacraments. Aquinas affirms Christ’s dual nature, incarnation, life, passion, and resurrection. He explains how Christ is the way of salvation. The treatment of the seven sacraments (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, ordination, and matrimony) forms a substantial portion of the Summa. Aquinas also covers subjects like the states of life, eschatology, and the resurrection of the body.
The Summa Theologica represents the highest theological systemization of its time period. It synthesizes Scripture, church teachings, and philosophy into one monumental work. The method is based on scholasticism with objections raised and answers given to various questions. Aquinas extensively cites pagan philosophers like Aristotle as well as Church fathers like Augustine. While the Summa aims for theological precision and clarity, its language can be technical and dense at times.
The Summa had a significant impact on Catholic thought in the Late Middle Ages and continues to be influential today. It played a key role in developing Thomism as a major school of theology and philosophy. Both Protestant and Catholic thinkers have found value mining the Summa for its profundity despite critiquing elements of Aquinas’ system. This seminal work represents the flowering of medieval scholastic theology.
Some key Bible passages related to the topics covered in the Summa Theologica include:
On God’s existence and attributes:
– Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
– Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
– Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
– Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
On the Trinity:
– Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
– John 14:16-17 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.”
– 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
On ethics and virtues:
– Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
– Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
– Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
On Christology:
– John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
– Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
– Colossians 1:15-20 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
On the sacraments:
– 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
– Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (on baptism)
– James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (on anointing of the sick)
These key passages provide biblical background for many of the theological topics examined systematically in the Summa Theologica. While Aquinas utilizes logical reasoning and philosophy, his conclusions are grounded in and supported by Scripture as the divine revelation of God. The Summa represents an extensive theological engagement with and explication of the central doctrines set forth in the Bible.
The Summa Theologica is undoubtedly Aquinas’ greatest literary and theological achievement. This extensive systematic theology text seamlessly synthesizes Christian doctrine, biblical exegesis, Aristotelian philosophy, and logical reasoning into one monumental summa. While dense and technical at times, the Summa serves as the quintessential scholastic theological text that immensely influenced Catholic thought in the High Middle Ages and beyond. Its precise format of objections and detailed responses offers thorough examination of complex theological issues rooted in Scripture. For its comprehensive and methodical engagement with Christian theology and philosophy, the Summa Theologica will remain a profound work of theological insight and intellectual brilliance.
The Summa Theologica is undoubtedly Aquinas’ greatest literary and theological achievement. This extensive systematic theology text seamlessly synthesizes Christian doctrine, biblical exegesis, Aristotelian philosophy, and logical reasoning into one monumental summa. While dense and technical at times, the Summa serves as the quintessential scholastic theological text that immensely influenced Catholic thought in the High Middle Ages and beyond. Its precise format of objections and detailed responses offers thorough examination of complex theological issues rooted in Scripture. For its comprehensive and methodical engagement with Christian theology and philosophy, the Summa Theologica will remain a profound work of theological insight and intellectual brilliance.
The Summa Theologica is undoubtedly Aquinas’ greatest literary and theological achievement. This extensive systematic theology text seamlessly synthesizes Christian doctrine, biblical exegesis, Aristotelian philosophy, and logical reasoning into one monumental summa. While dense and technical at times, the Summa serves as the quintessential scholastic theological text that immensely influenced Catholic thought in the High Middle Ages and beyond. Its precise format of objections and detailed responses offers thorough examination of complex theological issues rooted in Scripture. For its comprehensive and methodical engagement with Christian theology and philosophy, the Summa Theologica will remain a profound work of theological insight and intellectual brilliance.
The Summa Theologica is undoubtedly Aquinas’ greatest literary and theological achievement. This extensive systematic theology text seamlessly synthesizes Christian doctrine, biblical exegesis, Aristotelian philosophy, and logical reasoning into one monumental summa. While dense and technical at times, the Summa serves as the quintessential scholastic theological text that immensely influenced Catholic thought in the High Middle Ages and beyond. Its precise format of objections and detailed responses offers thorough examination of complex theological issues rooted in Scripture. For its comprehensive and methodical engagement with Christian theology and philosophy, the Summa Theologica will remain a profound work of theological insight and intellectual brilliance.