Thomas Aquinas: Greatest Medieval Theologian Issue 73 | 2002 Purchase this issue

ARTICLE TOOLS

Find similar articles Print this article E-mail this page Bookmark this article

Most material on Aquinas gets very philosophical very quickly. This is unfortunate, as the first sight of a passage like "every essence or quiddity can be understood without knowing anything about its existing (esse)" makes a typical non-philosopher put down the book and pick up the remote. Some authors have realized this, though, and have made noble attempts to put Thomas's ideas on the low shelf. Below are several examples, followed by some weightier matter.

Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes, by Paul Strathern (Ivan R. Dee, 1998), mixes wisecracks and information in roughly equal proportions, but it does give readers a basic understanding of Aquinas's big ideas. Hooked on Philosophy: Aquinas Made Easy, by Robert O'Donnell (Alba House, 1995), is more enlightening while still very readable.

G.K. Chesterton's famous Saint Thomas Aquinas: "The Dumb Ox" scores high on readability and flair ("The gown that could contain the colossal friar is not kept in stock" is just one memorable phrase) but lacks a bit in coherence. Not quite a biography, but not quite anything else, the book reveals as much about Chesterton and his era as it does about Aquinas. Still, eminent scholar Etienne Gilson called it "the best book ever written on St. Thomas."

A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas: A Handbook for Peeping Thomists, by Ralph McInerny, is another beginner's gem—if you can find it (it's out of print).

Reading Thomas's work can never be classed as "easy," but some versions are friendlier than others. Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation, edited by Timothy McDermott (Thomas More, 1997), could be considered the "Living Thomas." Peter Kreeft uses an older translation but offers many comprehension hints in A Summa of the Summa (Ignatius, 1990) and A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica (Ignatius, 1994).

In December 2001, Sophia Institute Press issued another summary: Aquinas's Shorter Summa: Saint Thomas's Own Concise Version of His Summa Theologica. Aquinas wrote it two years before his death, in response to his secretary Reginald's request for a condensed guide to the masterwork. This book is significantly longer than Kreeft's Shorter Summa (432 pages to 162). Authors always have a hard time editing their own work. For quickest access to some of Aquinas's work, visit the Christian Classics Ethereal Library online, http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/. Thomas Aquinas: Selected Writings, edited and translated by McInerny (Penguin, 1998), is another good collection, with an introduction and notes.

Readers seeking more than 90 minutes of Aquinas's philosophy might enjoy An Introduction to the Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas, collected and translated by James F. Anderson (Regnery, 1997); Aquinas, by F.C. Copleston, S.J. (Viking, 1992); Gilson's The Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by I.T. Shook (Notre Dame, 1994); or The Cambridge Companion to Aquinas, edited by Norman Kretzmann and Eleanore Stump (Cambridge, 1993). Fair warning, though: the "quiddity" quote comes from the Cambridge volume.

In addition to books, some online resources feature in-depth looks at selected Aquinas topics. Dr. Joseph Magee's Thomistic Philosophy page, http://www.aquinasonline.com, is excellent. The Web site for the Jacques Maritain Center at Notre Dame, http://www.nd.edu/~maritain/, has readings, papers, bibliographies, and more. Joseph Kenny, O.P., who provided the translations on pages 22 and 38 of this issue, has more information on Thomism and on Muslim-Christian interactions at his Web site, http://www.op.org/nigeriaop/kenny/.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian History magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

				Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required. Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive 9 more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless. Give a gift subscription | Buy past issues

FREE Newsletter Sign up for Christian History & Biography's e-mail newsletter, Behind the News. Come backstage and meet the historical Christians whose experiences and insights stand behind the limelight of today's news stories.    RSS Feed   RSS Help

Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history. Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
It's easy and quick to join: 2-for-1 Deal. Two powerful resources for 1 great price! A 1-Year Membership to CTLibrary & a 1-year print subscription to the magazine of your choice! Enjoy your first 7days online FREE! Only $49.95 1-Year Membership Plus your first 7 days are FREE! You won't be charged until after your free trial. Only $49.95 1-Month Membership Includes automatic renewal each month. Only $9.95 1-Year for Print Subscribers Special offer if you are currently a print subscriber to Christianity Today, Leadership journal, Books & Culture or Christian History & Biography. Only $29.95 first year Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l		FREE e-Newsletter! Even if you're not a member you can take advantage of the free "Christian News & Research" twice monthly e-newsletter! Sign up today for the FREE e-newsletter!   Note: Members also automatically receive this free e-newsletter.