Aquinas writes as a philosopher intellectually interested in the pursuit of truth, but foremost he writes as a Catholic who is convinced that the salvation of humanity itself is at stake. For the human racecould not be delivered except by God, according to Isaiah 45:21: 'Am not I the Lord, and there is no Godelse besides Me A just Godand a Saviour, there is none besides Me. Books by Thomas Aquinas (Author of Summa Theologica) Books by Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas Average rating 4.05 15,170 ratings 1,091 reviews shelved 65,954 times Showing 30 distinct works. We have considered that students in this doctrine have not seldom been hampered by what they have found written by other authors, partly on account of the multiplication of useless questions, articles, and arguments, partly also because those things that are needful for them to know are not taught according to the order of the subject matter, but according as the plan of the book might require, or the occasion of the argument offer, partly, too, because frequent repetition brought weariness and confusion to the minds of readers.Įndeavouring to avoid these and other like faults, we shall try, by God's help, to set forth whatever is included in this sacred doctrine as briefly and clearly as the matter itself may allow. It describes the relationship between God and man and man’s reconciliation with God. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae (Summa Theologica) by Alfred J. It would seem that it was not necessaryfor Christto suffer for the deliverance of the human race.

His doctrinal system and the explanations and developments made by his followers are known as Thomism.

Because the doctor of Catholic truth ought not only to teach the proficient, but also to instruct beginners (according to the Apostle: As unto little ones in Christ, I gave you milk to drink, not meat- 1 Corinthians 3:1-2), we purpose in this book to treat of whatever belongs to the Christian religion, in such a way as may tend to the instruction of beginners. the Summa theologiae and the Summa contra gentiles, for the classical systematization of Latin theology, and, as a poet, he wrote some of the most gravely beautiful eucharistic hymns in the church’s liturgy.

Thomas aquinas summa