Customer Reviews:
Superb Account of Thomistic Trinitarian Theology.......2007-09-28
Emery's masterful synthesis of Aquinas's systematic works with his scripture commentaries shows the richness of Aquinas's Trinitarian theology. This is the new gold standard for understanding St. Thomas on the Trinity, and it is written at a level that makes it accessible even for beginning students of theology. A must-read for anyone interested in classical Trinitarian theology.
Customer Reviews:
Being and Somethingness.......2001-02-15
As the other reviewers have said, this book is truly a classic, and like most of Gilson's opus is well worth reading by anyone interested in philosophy. Particularly strong are the early chapters on being (ontology) and on Aquinas's famous proofs of the existence of God.
Gilson wants to convince as well as explain, so the tone can be a little tendentious at times, but generally his prose is lucid, even lyrical. Also, in my opinion the final chapter somewhat blurs the distinction between Thomism and saving faith.
Ultimately, however, this book fully succeeds in getting under the skin of Thomistic philosophy. After reading it, you may never see "things" in quite the same way.
The best introduction to Aquinas available today........2000-02-10
Clear. Concise. Masterful. A true classic. If you want to understand Aquinas, read Gilson's book first. Then read it three more times.
An excellent introduction to the thought of Aquinas.......1999-04-07
Gilson has exceptional skill in explaining difficult philosophical concepts. He lays out the existential foundations of St. Thomas Aquinas' thought and makes a compelling case that "the metaphysical positions of Aquinas are still far ahead of what is considered most progressive in the philosophical thought of our own times." Gilson relates the thought of Aquinas to that of his predecessors, especially Aristotle and Augustine. Although this book can be difficult reading at times, the reader will be rewarded by the effort.
Book Description
There comes a time in the life of every Christian when he or she desires to go deeper in his or her walk with God. For many, this task can seem daunting. Enter St. Thomas Aquinas. He wrote his great Summa theologiae, or summary of theology, to fill the need for a thorough survey of Christian teaching. Unfortunately, the Summa theologiae is thousands of pages and can be intimidating to the beginner. Now Frederick Bauerschmidt has come to the rescue. Holy Teaching presents key parts of the Summa theologiae, which are explained by Bauerschmidt. These selections will encourage students, pastors, and interested laypeople to spend quality time in the company of a great Christian teacher.
Customer Reviews:
Good footnotes, GREAT theology!.......2006-05-05
This splendid book takes a slightly different angle than most modern compendiums. While the Summa is most often treated as a philosophical work, St. Thomas Aquinas' title itself, The Summa Theologiae (the summary of theology) shows it to be first and foremost a theological book. With this in mind, Bauerschmidt concentrates on the theological passages of the Summa, with special attention given to Aquinas' Christological understandings.
The footnotes are extremely helpful, allowing even a beginner to slowly make his/her way through this book. With the help of Bauerschmidt, even a beginner can come to understand one of the most profound thinkers in the history of mankind.
Recommended with this book is Peter Kreeft's Summa of the Summa, which deals the philosophical passages of the Summa.
Book Description
An authorized translation from "Le Thomisme" by Etienne Gilson. The revival of interest in the name and work of St. Thomas Aquinas is a fact which is bound to impress even the most superficial observer. Contents: man and his environment; faith and reason; alleged evidence for the existence of God; first proof of the existence of God; four other proofs of the existence of God; divine attributes; creation; angels; corporeal world and the efficacy of secondary causes; union of soul and body; powers of the soul; intellect and rational knowledge; knowledge and truth; appetite and will; human act; last end; spirit of Thomistic philosophy.
Book Description
In recent years, there has been a great revival of interest in natural law thinking, one that has occurred across a range of disciplines and perspectives—from the philosophical and theological to the most contemporary debates in the area of legal and political philosophy. Much of this recent work is traced to the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. To explore and evaluate the current revival, this volume brings together many of the foremost scholars on natural law. They examine the relation between Thomistic natural law and the larger philosophical and theological tradition. Furthermore, they assess the contemporary relevance of St. Thomas's natural law doctrine to current legal and political philosophy.
The book contains an extensive introduction to the topic, followed by four sections that treat various aspects of natural law thinking. The first section examines some of the philosophical foundations of natural law, especially the understanding of nature it presupposes. The second section is devoted to the theological context in which St. Thomas's natural law doctrine is situated. The essays in the third section discuss the new natural law theory espoused by Germain Grisez and John Finnis and the hotly debated question as to whether their theory is genuinely Thomistic. The final section explores several contemporary legal and political issues in light of St. Thomas's natural law thinking.
Book Description
An accessible and solid entry into the metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Customer Reviews:
The One and the many, and the analogicity of Being:.......2002-12-24
Essence and existence. Aquinas develops Aristotelian metaphysics, the "transcendental" science of being (note that the term 'transcendental' as used by Thomas is quite different than the same term as used by Kant). Thomas' thought is among the densest of all philosophers', and is, for the modern student, perhaps more difficult to grasp than is the work of Kant. A reader unfamiliar with philosophy should not initiate his study with Thomas. For the student [at least] somewhat grounded in existentialist reasoning, this compilation serves as a concise introduction to Thomist metaphysics/ natural theology/ first philosophy. Translated and compiled by professor of philosophy, James F. Anderson, this volume is especially valuable in that Thomas Aquinas' work is so capacious and intimidating that one doesn't otherwise know how to approach it.
Thomas [and Averroes] reintroduced Aristotle to Western thought and Thomist scholasticism has illuminated the path from the 13th century to the 20th, he was perhaps the greatest intellect of the Middle Ages. Anderson's edition may be the best means of introducing oneself to St. Thomas Aquinas.
A deep introduction to Aquinas's metaphysical synthesis.......2002-03-13
This book harvests Aquinas's finest, clearest and most relevant metaphysical texts--particularly those that better elucidate his original philosophical synthesis--with a focus on three problems: the subject of metaphysics, the analogicity of being, and the most universal determinations of this notion: the "transcendentals."
Do not expect a comprehensive exposition of Aquinas's metaphysical thought, for this was clearly not the intent of the late James F. Anderson. In fact, the book does not introduce us to certain basic metaphysical notions such as substance, accident, prime matter and substantial form. For this reason, some knowledge of classical metaphysics is highly desirable, while not absolutely necessary, to benefit more fully from this outstanding compilation.
The selection is of tremendous educational value, especially if we consider that some of the incorporated texts are difficult to find in translation. Excellent for teachers and students alike.
In brief (in just 116 pages), this book reveals some of Aquinas's greatest contributions to classical, perennial "first philosophy." The result is a well-organized, fluent introduction to Aquinas's own thoughts in Aquinas's own words.
An excellent introduction to the metaphysics of St. Thomas.......2001-02-10
First, I will simply reiterate what the previous reviewer stated: "The author introduces the reader to the metaphysics of St. Thomas by compiling sources from disparate primary texts." Apparently, no single primary source for Thomas' metaphysics exists. The author has done us a tremendous service in bringing Aquinas' metaphysical teachings together in one volume.
This book also represents a great introduction to metaphysics in general, at least for a person who is trying to teach himself philosophy, such as myself.
I have found other compilations of Thomas' writings to be difficult to understand because they assume an understanding of the transcendentals: being, one, true, good and beautiful and their relationships to each other; and other philosophical terms such as act, potency, form and matter, substance and essence, etc.
In around 100 pages the author is able to convey the central concepts of Thomas' metaphysics very clearly, thus opening the way for further study in Thomas' writings.
I am very grateful to have discovered this book. I am sure you will be too.
Reliable introduction in Thomas's own words.......1999-04-30
The author introduces the reader to the metaphysics of St. Thomas by compiling sources from disparate primary texts. A wealth of citations in Thomas's own words results. The many works of Thomas are lengthy, often difficult to access and too expensive to own. The author has overcome this barrier, at least in terms of an adequate introduction. Citations are arranged in chapters such as "What is metaphysics, Modes of Being, The Analogy of Being," and the trandendentals, oneness, goodness, truth, and beauty.
Book Description
Let St. Thomas Aquinas teach you how to heal the anguish of our broken world. The Aquinas Prescription opens the door for you to a richer and more fully integrated spiritual and intellectual life than you've ever experienced — through the much-misunderstood thought and example of St. Thomas Aquinas. According to author Gerald Vann, only the wisdom of St. Thomas can heal the spiritual agony and barrenness of our broken modern age. Vann, the wise Dominican priest who wrote The Devil and How to Resist Him, maintains that even the most faithful Christians today can't help but be tainted by the materialism, self-obsession, and plain rottenness of the surrounding culture. But The Aquinas Prescription offers you a way out. In chapters that include a brief, loving biography of Aquinas and explanations of how his thinking relates to the currents of his day and ours, Vann shows that if you want to know the answer to the riddle of life, if you want to achieve wisdom, if you want to be fully alive, you must learn from Aquinas how to unite the broken shards of modern life: rationalism and spirituality, action and mysticism. You need to follow the real teaching and personal example of St. Thomas in its balanced and integrated fullness. With the guidance of The Aquinas Prescription, you'll be able more richly than ever to give glory to the Light that he so ably and lovingly illuminated. Among the surprising and useful insights of The Aquinas Prescription: contemplation and action: the little-known way St. Thomas united them — and you can, too; St. Thomas's thought: is it dated? How he made sure that it never would be; law and grace: how St. Thomas unites them but the modern world divides them — to its peril; St. Thomas's dynamic view of knowledge: not as a disconnected intellectual exercise, but as a form of life and of becoming more alive; the failure of Thomism: how St. Thomas's great syntheses were lost among his followers; why the great medieval cities were revered for their citadels of study — while today's cities are admired for the skyscrapers of hard commerce; the sure way (not the easy way) to happiness and joy: how St. Thomas blazed the trail; what the Roman Church can learn from the Eastern Churches (something St. Thomas knew!); how St. Thomas, with all-embracing faith, used reason to elucidate revelation; mysticism: how St. Thomas beautifully reveals that its true roots lie in a rational investigation of the things of faith; how St. Thomas's lack of personal vanity impressed even his bitterest opponents; scholastic philosophy: how St. Thomas streamlined, simplified, and rejuvenated it, making it a more useful tool to find the truth; plus much more that will give you Aquinas's key to healing the anguish of modern society!
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Books Index
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General
| Theology
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| Books
Trinity, Church, and the Human Person
Praeambula Fidei: Thomism And the God of the Philosophers
Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews
Holy Teaching: Introducing the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas
The Dialectics of Secularization: On Reason and Religion
