All Things St. Thomas Aquinas

[JM]

For the last 15 years I've spent my time reading Reformed and Protestant theologians such as Calvin and in particular John Gill. Now, I'm interested in reading and studying St. Thomas's Summa, so I'm looking for resources.

With your help I'm like to do a deep dive so to speak on the Saint's writings. I'm looking for podcasts, videos, articles, etc. that you have found helpful in helping you understand the Summa. I own a rather poor translation so I would be interested in recommendations on a good, proper translation of the work, complete or otherwise.

Thank you in advance,

jm
PS: I've already started reading the Summa but I would be interested in study and reading plans.

 

[Davidnic]

Pints with Aquinas

Best podcast on the matter with Matt Fradd, who does a good job.

He also has several good introductory books

 

[Davidnic]

The kids and I are going to go in and walk my wife home from work, but I'll have some comments on translation and other things later

 

[Davidnic]

If you are near a good library, preferably a college one, this edition is usually available to read. I find it the best. If you want to own it, it is pricy. But depending on the local library you might find it.

https://www.amazon.com/Summa-Theolo...2&s=books&sprefix=suma+,stripbooks,158&sr=1-2

 

[Davidnic]

For an intro this is a good start

https://www.amazon.com/Aquinass-Sho...GNXYPY7NREH&psc=1&refRID=BMHNH0X1EGNXYPY7NREH

 

[zippy2006]

For the last 15 years I've spent my time reading Reformed and Protestant theologians such as Calvin and in particular John Gill. Now, I'm interested in reading and studying St. Thomas's Summa, so I'm looking for resources.

With your help I'm like to do a deep dive so to speak on the Saint's writings. I'm looking for podcasts, videos, articles, etc. that you have found helpful in helping you understand the Summa. I own a rather poor translation so I would be interested in recommendations on a good, proper translation of the work, complete or otherwise.

Thank you in advance,

jm
PS: I've already started reading the Summa but I would be interested in study and reading plans.

The Dominican Province of St. Joseph is actually a few days away from launching their new website (link) devoted to explaining Aquinas. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

The Thomistic Institute releases a number of good lectures on Soundcloud (link), many of which are at least obliquely related to St. Thomas.

Edward Feser is an accessible Thomistic philosopher who writes books and blog posts, though he can be abrasive at times. Thomism is actually a fairly robust field, and there are lots of Thomists available for reading (e.g. Peter Kreeft, Jacques Maritain, Joseph Marechal, Charles de Koninck, Ralph McInerny, Josef Pieper, Garrigou Lagrange, Thomas Joseph White, etc.), though many of these authors will apply Thomistic thought to topics that Thomas himself did not address rather than explicating Thomas' thought directly.

If you are able to read the Summa then I think that's the best place to start (as well as other primary writings). The "Shorter Summa" that Davidnic pointed out looks promising. I wasn't aware of that work.

Are you comfortable reading the primary texts of Calvin and Gill? Are you more interested in philosophy or theology? Do you read Latin?

 

[chevyontheriver]

For the last 15 years I've spent my time reading Reformed and Protestant theologians such as Calvin and in particular John Gill. Now, I'm interested in reading and studying St. Thomas's Summa, so I'm looking for resources.

With your help I'm like to do a deep dive so to speak on the Saint's writings. I'm looking for podcasts, videos, articles, etc. that you have found helpful in helping you understand the Summa. I own a rather poor translation so I would be interested in recommendations on a good, proper translation of the work, complete or otherwise.

Thank you in advance,

jm
PS: I've already started reading the Summa but I would be interested in study and reading plans.

There are TWO Summae, and while 'Summa Theologica' is more well known the 'Summa Contra Gentiles' is also of real merit. And then there is his 'Catena Aurea'.

Two works (actual books) I recommend as backgrounders for Thomas are Chesterton's 'Dumb Ox' and Josef Pieper's 'Guide to Thomas Aquinas'. Oh and Peter Kreeft wrote a good one called 'Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction From St. Thomas Aquinas' among other good books about Thomas.

Don't be afraid of an abridged Summa. And don't get bogged down on minutia. Thomas is profound. Enjoy.

 

[zippy2006]

PS: I've already started reading the Summa but I would be interested in study and reading plans.

The Summa is very orderly and at the largest scope is based on the exitus-reditus model, wherein all things come from God, go forth from God, and then return to God their source.

Spoiler: exitus-reditus

This article may be of general interest to you:

1. Exitus–Reditus: All things come from God (exitus) and, in different ways, return to him (reditus); but for us human beings this coming forth and returning has a special relation to the inner life of the Trinity. In fact, the coming forth of the Son from the Father (procession of knowledge) and the coming forth of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son (procession of love) are the cause and exemplar of (1) our coming forth from God as creatures who are capable of natural knowing and loving; and (2) our returning to God as creatures capable of supernatural knowing and loving. (Why Thomism?)

​

The Summa is divided into three parts:

1. God (And the creation that goes forth from Him) [Prima Pars - First Part]
2. Man - Image of God [Secundae Pars - Second Part]
   1. General principles of man's action [Prima Secundae - First Part of the Second Part]
   2. Specific principles of man's action (virtues) [Secundae Secundae - Second Part of the Second Part]
3. Jesus Christ (And the grace that goes forth from him) [Tertia Pars - Third Part]

We go forth from God in creation (exitus), we are shaped through principles of action in the natural and theological virtues, and we return to God through our Savior Jesus Christ (reditus). Understanding this basic structure might give you some information about where to start, what to cover, what to skim, etc. Not knowing you, it is difficult to recommend particulars.

 

[Michie]

Very informative. Thank you!

The Dominican Province of St. Joseph is actually a few days away from launching their new website (link) devoted to explaining Aquinas. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

The Thomistic Institute releases a number of good lectures on Soundcloud (link), many of which are at least obliquely related to St. Thomas.

Edward Feser is an accessible Thomistic philosopher who writes books and blog posts, though he can be abrasive at times. Thomism is actually a fairly robust field, and there are lots of Thomists available for reading (e.g. Peter Kreeft, Jacques Maritain, Joseph Marechal, Charles de Koninck, Ralph McInerny, Josef Pieper, Garrigou Lagrange, Thomas Joseph White, etc.), though many of these authors will apply Thomistic thought to topics that Thomas himself did not address rather than explicating Thomas' thought directly.

If you are able to read the Summa then I think that's the best place to start (as well as other primary writings). The "Shorter Summa" that Davidnic pointed out looks promising. I wasn't aware of that work.

Are you comfortable reading the primary texts of Calvin and Gill? Are you more interested in philosophy or theology? Do you read Latin?

 

[JM]

Thanks folks. I am currently reading a large two volume edition translated by Fathers of the Dominican Province. I wrote above that it was a bad translation, I should've wrote, it is abridged and not complete.

Well...I'm off read!

jm

 

[Snoder]

For the last 15 years I've spent my time reading Reformed and Protestant theologians such as Calvin and in particular John Gill. Now, I'm interested in reading and studying St. Thomas's Summa, so I'm looking for resources.

With your help I'm like to do a deep dive so to speak on the Saint's writings. I'm looking for podcasts, videos, articles, etc. that you have found helpful in helping you understand the Summa. I own a rather poor translation so I would be interested in recommendations on a good, proper translation of the work, complete or otherwise.

Thank you in advance,

jm
PS: I've already started reading the Summa but I would be interested in study and reading plans.

The Summa Theologiae was written by one of the greatest minds in human history. If someone wants to understand it, they need to have a true understanding of philosophy.

Podcasts, videos, articles, etc are not a substitute. They are reductions and not explanations.

 

[JM]

The Summa Theologiae was written by one of the greatest minds in human history. If someone wants to understand it, they need to have a true understanding of philosophy.

Podcasts, videos, articles, etc are not a substitute. They are reductions and not explanations.

Very true. I've worked in libraries for almost 30 years and have read widely when it comes to philosophy including Aristotle.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

 

[JM]

"It is fitting that God should predestine men. For all things are subject to His providence, as was shown above (I:22:2). Now it belongs to providence to direct things towards their end, as was also said (I:22:1 and I:22:2). The end towards which created things are directed by God is twofold; one which exceeds all proportion and faculty of created nature; and this end is life eternal, that consists in seeing God which is above the nature of every creature, as shown above (I:12:4). The other end, however, is proportionate to created nature, to which end created being can attain according to the power of its nature. Now if a thing cannot attain to something by the power of its nature, it must be directed thereto by another; thus, an arrow is directed by the archer towards a mark. Hence, properly speaking, a rational creature, capable of eternal life, is led towards it, directed, as it were, by God. The reason of that direction pre-exists in God; as in Him is the type of the order of all things towards an end, which we proved above to be providence. Now the type in the mind of the doer of something to be done, is a kind of pre-existence in him of the thing to be done. Hence the type of the aforesaid direction of a rational creature towards the end of life eternal is called predestination. For to destine, is to direct or send. Thus it is clear that predestination, as regards its objects, is a part of providence."

 

[JM]

Sorry folks, I'm going to keep bumping this thread...it's being drowned out by headlines.

jm

 

[Michie]

Keep bumping. Headlines are not the only thing.

Sorry folks, I'm going to keep bumping this thread...it's being drowned out by headlines.

jm

 

[Michie]

Bump.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Very true. I've worked in libraries for almost 30 years and have read widely when it comes to philosophy including Aristotle.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

Did you see this?

Think Aquinas is too hard? This excellent new course will change your mind | Catholic Herald

Aquinas 101

 

[Michie]

I've been enjoying reading this thread.

 

[JM]

Did you see this?

Think Aquinas is too hard? This excellent new course will change your mind | Catholic Herald

Aquinas 101

Registered!

 

[JM]

Works in English online.

https://dhspriory.org/thomas/