Summa Contra Gentiles (c. 1264) trans and ed. Anton C. Pegis

Summa Contra Gentiles Book One: God

 

In Summa contra Gentiles, Book One: God, Thomas Aquinas lays the foundation for his theological project by focusing on the nature and existence of God. Addressing a mixed audience of believers and non-believers, Aquinas systematically argues for the reasonableness of Christian doctrine, using both philosophical reasoning and theological insights. This book serves as an introduction to understanding God’s attributes, emphasizing how human reason can lead to truths about the divine.

Aquinas begins by exploring the limits and capabilities of natural reason in understanding God, asserting that while some aspects of God’s nature are accessible through reason, others require divine revelation. He then presents philosophical arguments for God’s existence, most notably expanding on the ideas of the First Mover and First Cause derived from Aristotelian metaphysics. Following these proofs, Aquinas examines the attributes of God, including simplicity, immutability, eternity, and omniscience, carefully distinguishing the Creator from creation.

The text also addresses potential challenges to divine understanding, such as anthropomorphic misconceptions, and clarifies how God’s actions, such as creation and providence, align with divine perfection. Aquinas’s primary aim in Book One is to demonstrate that reason and faith are complementary paths to knowledge of God, ultimately guiding the reader to a deeper appreciation of the divine mystery.

By uniting philosophy and theology, Summa contra Gentiles, Book One: God, offers a profound meditation on the relationship between human intellect and the infinite reality of God.

Online:
Dominican House of Studies