SUMMA THEOLOGIAE
Saint Thomas Aquinas
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INTRODUCTION
The Summa Theologiæ (or the Summa) is a systematic summary of theology written by St. Thomas Aquinas and contains primary teachings of the Catholic Church. Thomas presents his synthesis of Scripture and Tradition with Greek philosophy, particularly that of Aristotle, and Scholasticism. As his magnum opus, the Summa was intended to be a guide for seminarians and graduate students in discourse. It was left unfinished after Thomas experienced a mystical event while celebrating Mass and told his friend Reginald, "all that I have written seems like straw to me". Through the Summa Theologiae, Summa Contra Gentiles, Commentaries, and other works, St. Thomas is regarded as an eminent and perennial figure in the Church's intellectual and spiritual tradition. His devotion to Christ and His Church makes him an exemplar for the opening of the mind and heart to the light of grace.
PROLOGUE
Because the Master 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 Cor. iii. 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. We have considered that students in this Science 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 the readers.
Endeavoring to avoid these and other like faults, we shall try, by God's help, to set forth whatever is included in this Sacred Science as briefly and clearly as the matter itself may allow.
HOW TO USE
Log in by clicking on the user icon
and to access Article bookmarks.
Save bookmarks by logging in and tapping the bookmark icon
next to the Articles.
Change light/dark mode, fonts, and font sizes with the
button.
INTRODUCTION
The Summa Theologiæ (or the Summa) is a systematic summary of theology written by St. Thomas Aquinas and contains primary teachings of the Catholic Church. Thomas presents his synthesis of Scripture and Tradition with Greek philosophy, particularly that of Aristotle, and Scholasticism. As his magnum opus, the Summa was intended to be a guide for seminarians and graduate students in discourse. It was left unfinished after Thomas experienced a mystical event while celebrating Mass and told his friend Reginald, "all that I have written seems like straw to me". Through the Summa Theologiae, Summa Contra Gentiles, Commentaries, and other works, St. Thomas is regarded as an eminent and perennial figure in the Church's intellectual and spiritual tradition. His devotion to Christ and His Church makes him an exemplar for the opening of the mind and heart to the light of grace.
PROLOGUE
Because the Master 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 Cor. iii. 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. We have considered that students in this Science 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 the readers. Endeavoring to avoid these and other like faults, we shall try, by God's help, to set forth whatever is included in this Sacred Science as briefly and clearly as the matter itself may allow.