Aquinas - Summa Theologica v.3 - Theology Tools

3
AQUINAS FOR TODAY
It would be very difficult for someone born in the 13th century to grasp
the style of life, the speed of travel and the unparalleled access to
information experienced by mankind at the close of the 20th. Thomas
Aquinas, were he to appear today, would, however, be dismayed at the
lack of contemplation and the inadequate grasp of the long view of
anything save perhaps material wealth. He would no doubt be perplexed
over the pleas from laypersons and scholars alike for relevance and
immediacy from every piece of information provided – especially
theology. How could anything be more relevant than theology, more
immediate than the contemplation of the ways and works of God?
By any standard, Summa is a masterpiece on the theme of theology and a
magnum opus on spiritual immediacy. From the curious child’s question
“How many angels are there?” [ P(1)-Q(50)-A(1) ] to the more esoteric
and scholarly issue: “Are there any seminal virtues in corporeal matter?”
[P(1)-Q(115)-A(2) ], Summa explains the faith and defends it with
amazing practicality and depth. It has a permanent place in the history of
theology and merits serious study even after 700 years:
“The time is overdue for all secret believers to join in a positive word
of gratitude for the masterful expression and defense of the historic
Christian faith bequeathed to us by this humble giant of the faith. As
for myself, I gladly confess that the highest compliment that could be
paid to me as a Christian philosopher, apologist, and theologian is to
call me “Thomistic.” This, of course, does not mean I accept
everything Aquinas wrote naively and uncritically. It does mean that I
believe he was one of the greatest systematic minds the Christian
church has ever had, and that I can see a lot farther standing on his
shoulders than by attacking him in the back. No, I do not agree with
everything he ever wrote. On the other hand, neither do I agree with
everything I ever wrote. But seven hundred years from now no one will
even recognize my name, while Aquinas’s works will still be used with
great profit.” [Norman Geisler, Thomas Aquinas; An Evnagelical
Appraisal. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Company, 1991, p. 14.]