Paul in the Summa Theologiae

by Matthew Levering

Publisher:

Catholic University of America

, 2014

Overview

Aquinas's commentaries on St. Paul are well known and have received significant attention in the past few years. It is widely known, too, that Aquinas quotes Paul often in the Summa theologiae. This aspect of the Summa, however, has not been studied in detail. This book seeks to fill that lacuna in scholarship. The book's brief introduction treats Aquinas as a biblically erudite theologian, and offers some basic statistical data regarding his use of Paul in the Summa theologiae. The book's nine chapters track in detail Aquinas's use of Pauline quotations in his theological argumentation. The first six chapters examine Paul in particular "treatises:" the triune God, grace, charity, the virtue of religion, the Passion of Christ, and baptism. The last three chapters investigate Pauline texts as they are used throughout the Summa: Romans 1:20, 1 Corinthians 13, and Philippians 2:5–11. Chapters 1–3 are organized by the order of the treatise; chapters 4–6 are organized by order of the Pauline letters. This multi- faceted procedure provides a rich, detailed picture of Aquinas's use of Paul in the Summa. The guiding question is whether, and if so how, we can describe Aquinas's theology as Pauline or as deeply influenced by Paul. Aquinas does not seek to understand Paul's theology in its Second Temple context, and Aquinas often uses Pauline texts in a way that takes them out of context or that uses them in response to a theological problem unknown to Paul. Levering argues that Aquinas's theology is indeed deeply Pauline, offering ample evidence that Aquinas captures the central Pauline themes and gives them a central place in his own theology.

Key Features

• Discusses the citations of Paul in relation to the topic that Aquinas is addressing in the article
• Approaches Aquinas's use of Paul in the Summa theologiae by means of three interpretative methods
• Aims to bear fruit in a deeper awareness of the strengths and limitations of Aquinas's integration of the Pauline letters into the sacra doctrina of his Summa theologiae

Contents

Part I. The Order of the Summa Theologiae

• The Triune God
• The Passion of Christ
• Baptism

Part 2. The Order of the Pauline Letters

• The Mosaic Law
• Grace
• The Virtue of Religion

Part 3. Tracing Pauline Texts in the Summa Theologiae

• Romans 1:20 in the Summa Theologiae
• 1 Corinthians 13 in the Summa Theologiae
• Philippians 2:5-11 in the Summa Theologiae

Praise for Paul in the Summa Theologiae

Levering gives us a stimulating and informed introduction to the ways in which the Apostle makes his presence felt in the best-known work of the Angelic Doctor.

Recensiones

Product Details

• Title: Paul in the Summa Theologiae
• Author: Matthew Levering
• Publisher: Catholic University of America
• Print Publication Date: 2014
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 306
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, 1225?-1274. Summa Theologica; Bible. Epistles of Paul › Criticism, Interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780813225975, 0813225973
• Resource ID: LLS:PLSMMTHLG
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:38:05Z

About Matthew Levering

Matthew Levering is Professor of Theology at the University of Dayton, USA, where he is also director of the Center for Scriptural Exegesis, Philosophy, and Doctrine. Co-editor since 2003 of the theological journal Nova et Vetera, he has also recently joined the editorial team of the International Journal of Systematic Theology. Prof Levering has served as Chair of the Board of the Academy of Catholic Theology since 2007 and co-directs the Center for Catholic-Evangelical dialogue alongside Prof Boersma. His numerous books and publications include most recently The Feminine Genius of Catholic Theology (2012), Jesus and the Demise of Death (2012), and Predestination (2011). Forthcoming publications include volumes on St. Paul and Thomas Aquinas and on the theology of Augustine.