Description
Book SynopsisFollowing a scholarly account of Thomas Aquinas''s life, Davies explores his purposes in writing the Summa Theologiae and works systematically through each of its three Parts. He also relates their contents and Aquinas''s teachings to those of other works and other thinkers both theological and philosophical. The concluding chapter considers the impact Aquinas''s best-known work has exerted since its first appearance, and why it is still studied today. Intended for students and general readers interested in medieval philosophy and theology, Davies''s study is a solid and reflective introduction both to the Summa Theologiae and to Aquinas in general.
Trade ReviewThorough, well organized, and supplemented with copious notes and pie charts that give a visual breakdown of the philosophical and theological subjects covered in the Summa ... those looking for a comprehensive and accessible companion to Aquinass Summa could do no better * Choice *
Davies has magisterially breathed a new life into the ancient and honourable genre of commentary on Aquinas's masterpiece, the Summa Theologiae. The commentary tradition is alive and well in the twenty-first century. * Bernard McGinn, Philosophical Investigations *
Brian Davies takes the reader on a guided tour of the vast demesne of the Summa Theologiae with a lucid and patient commentary. He writes for the intelligent reader without any formal training in either philosophy or theologythe kind of audience, he believes, that St. Thomas himself had in mind. Nonetheless, his book contains a number of surprises even for those who are familiar with the landscape. * Anthony Kenny, author of the fourth-volume series New History of Western Philosophy *
Most of us engaged in studying Christian theology would of course say that Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae is a classic, an essential text, which we should all read and re-read. The truth is, however, that, while the clarity of the arguments and the systematic presentation are very attractive, most newcomers and even old hands need a good deal of help to keep going: no one is better qualified than Brian Davies, after years of teaching and writing about it, to guide us: the study of the Summa will be greatly facilitated and enriched by this excellent commentary. * Fergus Kerr, OP, Honorary Fellow, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh *
Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Setting the Summa Theologiae ; 2. Sacred Teaching (1a,1) ; 3. Knowing That God Exists (1a,1,2) ; 4. The Divine Nature: Part 1 (1a,3-13) ; 5. The Divine Nature: Part 2 (1a,14-26) ; 6. The Divine Trinity (1a,27-43) ; 7. Creation, Good, and Evil (1a,44-49) ; 8. Angels and the Days of Creation (1a,50-74) ; 9. Human Beings and Divine Government (1a,75-119) ; 10. Happiness, Human Action, and Morality (1a2ae,1-21) ; 11. Emotions (1a2ae,22-48) ; 12. Dispositions, Virtues, Gifts, Beatitudes and Fruits (1a2ae,49-70) ; 13. Sin (1a2ae,71-85) ; 14. Law, Old Law, New Law, and Grace (1a2ae,90-114) ; 15. Faith, Hope, and Charity (2a2ae,1-46) ; 16. Prudence, Justice, and Injustice (2a2ae,47-79) ; 17. Religion and Other Matters to do With Justice (2a2ae,80-122) ; 18. Courage and Temperance (2a2ae,123-170) ; 19. Freely Given Graces, Kinds of Life, and States of Life (2a2ae,171-189) ; 20. God Incarnate (3a,1-26) ; 21. The Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ (3a,27-59) ; 22. The Sacraments of the Christian Church (3a,60-90) ; 23. Epilogue ; Appendix: The Summa Theologiae at a Glance ; Bibliography ; Index
