We quickly review the various parts of the Summa Theologica of St Thomas, and recognize both the internal logic of the work and also the basic insights of St Thomas in his structure of the work.
Listen online [here]!
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We begin by discussing the general approach of St Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica. The Summa is in Three Parts, but really it is in five sections (see handouts below for the overview and outline of the Summa).
You can find the full text of the Summa Theologica at New Advent [dot] org - here! www.newadvent.org/summa/
We consider, as an example of the structure of the Summa, the first question of the first part. here! https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1001.htm
We then look more closely at the Third Part of the Summa - which discusses Christ Jesus and also the Sacraments. Here! newadvent.org/summa/4.htm
Lastly, we briefly looked at Summa Theological, part III, question 27 (ST III, q.27) - here! https://www.newadvent.org/summa/4027.htm
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An
Outline of the Summa Theologica
of St
Thomas Aquinas
The First Part (ST I): On God and
Creation, all things come from God
I. On Sacred Doctrine, What is
theology? (Question 1)
II. On God: The Divine Nature itself (Questions 1-26) and
the Trinity (qq 27-43)
III. On Creation: The creation
itself (qq 44-46), the various things created (qq 47-49), angels (qq 50-64) and material things (qq
65-74) and men (qq 75-102)
IV. On the preservation and
governance of the world (qq 103-119)
The Second Part (ST II): On
Morality, man’s return to God
First Part of the Second Part (ST
I-II): On General Morals
I. On happiness (qq 1-5)
II. On actions and passions (qq
6-48)
III. On the principles of
actions: the powers and habits of the soul, virtues and vices
(qq
49-89); extrinsic principles that act upon the soul, laws and grace (qq 90-114)
Second Part of the Second Part
(ST II-II): On Specific Morals
I. The Theological Virtues (qq
1-46)
II. The Cardinal Virtues (qq.
47-170)
III. Specific graces and charisms
(qq 171-178)
IV. Various vocations and offices
of men (qq 179-189)
The Third Part (ST III): On the
Christ and his Sacraments, the means of our return
to God
I. The Mystery of the Incarnation
in Itself (qq 1-26)
II. The Life of Christ (qq 27-59)
III. The Sacraments of the Church
instituted by Christ (qq. 60-83; Supplement qq 1-68)
IV. The Last Things (Supplement
qq 69-99)
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ST THOMAS' CATHEDRAL - A Table Outline of the Summa
|
Prima Pars (I) |
Sacred Doctrine: What it is and to what it extends. All things
are treated in it under the idea of God, either because they are God Himself
or because they have some relation to God. |
Sacred Doctrine (I.1) |
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|
1. God (Threefold
Consideration) |
1st Concerning things that pertain to the divine
essence |
The one God (I.1-26) |
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|
2nd Concerning things that pertains to the distinction
of Persons |
The most Holy Trinity (I.27-43) |
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|
3rd Concerning those things that pertain to the
productions of things by God
|
1st The production
of creatures |
The creation (I.44-46) |
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|
2nd The distinction
of creatures |
1st The distinction of things in general |
The distinction of things in general (I.47) |
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|
2nd The distinction of things in particular |
(a) The distinction of good
and evil |
The distinction of good and evil (I.48-49) |
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|
(b) The distinction of corporeal
and spiritual creatures |
1st The creature
purely spiritual |
The angels (I.50-64) |
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|
2nd The creature
purely corporeal |
The creature purely corporeal (I.65-74) |
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|
3rd The creature
composed of body and spirit (man) |
On man (I.75-102) |
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|
3rd The preservation
and government of creatures |
The conservation and government of creatures (I.103-119) |
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|
Secunda Pars (II) |
2. The advance of the rational creature (Man) to God |
The end of man |
The end of man and beatitude (I-II.1-5) |
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|
In general (Prima Secundae I-II) |
1st The acts themselves |
(a) Acts that are peculiar
to man |
Human acts (I-II.6-21 |
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|
(b) Acts that are common to
man and other animals |
The passions (I-II.22-48) |
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|
2nd The principles of acts |
(a) Intrinsic principles |
(i) powers of the soul
(treated in 1st par) |
----- |
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|
(ii) habits of the soul |
1st Habits in
general |
Habits in general (I-II.49-54) |
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|
2nd Habits in
particular |
Good habits (virtues) |
The virtues (I-II.55-70) |
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|
Evil habits (vices) |
On vices and sins (I-II.71-89) |
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|
(b) Extrinsic principles |
1st Laws |
On laws (I-II.90-108) |
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|
2nd Grace |
On grace (I-II.109-114) |
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|
In particular (Secunda Secundae II-II) |
1st Acts that pertain to all conditions of life (i.e., to all men) |
(a) Theological virtues |
(a) In the intellect |
Faith |
Faith (II-II.1-16) |
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|
(b) In the will |
Hope |
Hope (II-II.17-22) |
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|
Charity |
Charity (II-II.23-46) |
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|
(b) Cardinal virtues |
Prudence |
Prudence (II-II.47-56) |
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|
Justice |
Justice (II-II.57-122) |
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|
Fortitude |
Fortitude (II-II.123-140) |
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|
Temperance |
Temperance (II-II.141-170) |
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|
2nd Acts that pertain in a special manner to some men |
(a) Graces gratuitously given |
Graces gratuitously given (II-II.171-178) |
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|
(b) Active and contemplative life |
The active and contemplative life (II-II.179-182) |
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|
(c) The various offices and conditions of men |
The various offices and conditions of men (II-II.183-189) |
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|
Tertia Pars (III) |
3. Christ (the God-Man) |
1st The Saviour
Himself, i.e., the mystery of the Incarnation, what He did and suffered |
The Incarnation (III.1-59) |
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|
2nd The Sacraments,
which have their efficacy from the Incarnate Word |
(a) In general |
The Sacraments in general (III.60-65) |
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|
(b) In particular |
Baptism |
Baptism (III.66-71) |
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|
Confirmation |
Confirmation (III.72) |
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|
Eucharist |
Eucharist (III.73-83) |
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|
Penance |
Penance |
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|
Extreme Unction |
Extreme Unction |
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|
Orders |
Orders |
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|
Matrimony |
Matrimony |
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|
3rd Immortal
Life, the end man attains through Christ, both God and man, suffering and
rising from the dead |
The Resurrection and Four Last Things |
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A BETTER WAY OF READING
THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA
The Summa Theologica of
St. Thomas Aquinas is, without question, the greatest work of theology ever
written. And yet, because of the length of the treatise – some six hundred
fifteen question of up to six or even eight articles, in three (or four)
volumes – even the most avid fans of the Angel of the Schools find it difficult
to read the whole Summa.
We intend to give an indication of not
only how to read any particular portion of the Summa, but also of
how to succeed in reading the whole work.
The structure of the Summa
Theologica
St. Thomas’ Summa is
divided into four parts:
The first part of Summa
Theologica I (ST I) considers God, the Trinity and creation.
The first part of the second part (ST
I-II) deals with morality in general- happiness, virtue and vice, the gifts of
the Holy Spirit.
The second part of the second part (ST
II-II) is on specific moral theology- the virtues and vices in particular, and
also vocations.
The third part (ST III) deals with
Christ himself and the sacraments.
To this is added the “Supplement”
completed by Reginald of Piperno from St. Thomas’ early writings, which focuses
on some of the sacraments and also considers the end of time and the second
coming of our Savior.
How to read a portion of the Summa
The Summa is divided
into questions, which are sub-divided into articles. When considering any
particular article, we notice that there are essentially four parts: Objections
(videtur), appeal to authority (sed contra), theological proof (respondeo),
and replies to objections (dicendum quod).
Now, it is helpful to the modern mind
that, when reading any particular article, we begin first by reading the first
words of the first objection. Because this is an objection which will be
disproven, this means that the basic answer which St. Thomas gives is the
contrary of this first sentence.
Then, without reading the rest of the
objections, we proceed to the sed contra, or “On the contrary” (in
which St. Thomas will appeal to an authority to settle the issue). This simple
statement gives the basic point which St Thomas will defend as true.
Next, we consider the “I answer that”,
which is the body of the argument. This is the most important portion of the
article, since it is here that St. Thomas will explain the theological point in
question.
Finally, we return to the objections
and consider each individually together with St. Thomas’ reply.
Another (better) way of reading
the Summa
I would like to present one way of
reading the Summa which combines something of a methodological
system together with topics of interest to the modern man. It is possible to
read the Summa from back to front – many would find the Summa much
more interesting if they began with the end and read backwards to the
beginning. Let me explain.
I would suggest starting with the
third part, questions twenty-seven through fifty-nine, which deal with the life
of Christ and are closely related to the Scriptures. This portion of the Summa (a
part which many people do not even realize exists) deals with the various
events and mysteries in our Savior’s life, death, and resurrection. Thus, it is
far more interesting to the modern man than the more theoretical discussions of
the first part.
Now, starting with the treatise on the
life of Christ, one could read the Summa backwards by taking the time to
look up all of the references which St. Thomas makes to earlier questions and
articles – one could pause after each article and take the time to look up all
the citations to earlier articles in the Summa.
A plan for reading the Summa
Personally, I would recommend
beginning with ST I, q.1, a.1-10. This question serves as a prologue for the
rest of the Summa and stands on its own.
After the first question, one might
proceed to ST III, qq.27-59, which deal with the life of Jesus (and are
particularly Scriptural). Looking up the citations to previous questions in
the Summa would cover well the treatise on the Incarnation
(III, qq.1-26) and also a good portion of the first part of the Summa.
After the treatise on the Incarnation,
I recommend proceeding to the treatise on the Sacraments: ST III, qq.60 –
Suppl. q.68.
Then, fall back to the treatise on
virtues: ST II-II. If one were to look up all the references in the second part
of the second part of the Summa, the first part of the second part
would be well covered.
After all of this, it would be good to
skim through the whole of the Summa from start to finish,
taking extra time with any article or question which is unfamiliar.
Special attention should be given to
the treatises on the Trinity (I, qq.27-43), on the angels (I, qq.50-64), on
grace (I-II, qq.109-114), on the Incarnation (III, qq.1-16), and on the
Eucharist (III, qq.73-83).These portions of the Summa contain
the most significant insights of the Angelic Doctor.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Pray for us!
*Based on an article written by Fr
Ryan Erlenbush, 28 July 2012
