Lecture 18 - Aquinas Flashcards
Who was Thomas Aquinas?
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a medieval philosopher and theologian from the Kingdom of Naples in Italy.
What was Aquinas’s early life like?
He was born in a family castle and sent to Mont Casino for education, likely with the expectation of becoming an Abbott.
Where did Aquinas study after Mont Casino?
He moved to the University of Naples, where he was introduced to Aristotelianism.
What did Aquinas think of Aristotle?
He embraced Aristotle enthusiastically and referred to him as ‘The Philosopher.’
What significant life choice did Aquinas make at age 19?
He joined the Dominican Friars, attracted by their commitment to study.
What happened to Aquinas during his journey to Paris?
He was kidnapped by his family to prevent him from becoming a friar and held captive for 18 months.
What was Aquinas’s response to his family’s attempts to change his mind?
He resisted their efforts, famously chasing away a woman sent to tempt him with a hot poker.
What are some of Aquinas’s notable works?
He authored significant texts including a commentary on the gospels, a defense of Christianity, and the Summa Theologica.
What did Aquinas state about his writings in December 1273?
He quit writing, declaring that he viewed all his writings as straw.
When did Aquinas die?
He died in March 1274.
What is the Donum Superadditum in Aquinas’s theology?
It refers to the gift of grace that God adds to man at creation, enabling righteousness and enjoyment of God.
What happens to the Donum Superadditum after the fall of man?
The capacity for righteousness is lost, and all descendants of Adam are born without this superadded gift.
How does Aquinas define original sin?
He states that original sin is not ignorance but a result of the human will gone bad.
What is Aquinas’s view on the will and original sin?
The will is particularly damaged by sin due to the loss of the Donum Superadditum, impairing the ability to pursue good.
What does Aquinas say about death?
He believes death is not natural but a consequence of sin.
Was sin a necessary precursor to the incarnation according to Aquinas?
He gives a soft yes, suggesting the incarnation could have happened apart from sin but is always tied to it.
Was the incarnation necessary for salvation?
Aquinas states it was a consequent necessity, as God determined salvation through the incarnation.
Why is the incarnation fitting according to Aquinas?
It reveals something about God and provides a perfect model of faith, hope, and love.
What is Aquinas’s view on satisfaction in relation to sin?
He agrees with Anselm that Christ makes satisfaction for sin, restoring the relationship between God and man.
How does grace come to us in the medieval church?
Through saints and sacraments.
What is Aquinas’s later view on grace?
He believes grace is necessary before any human action, enabling us to will and perform good.
What does justification mean in a narrow sense for Aquinas?
Justification is an instantaneous grace of God that works righteousness within a person.
What does justification mean in a broad sense?
It encompasses the full process of salvation, including faith, repentance, and the infusion of righteousness.
How does Aquinas define faith?
Faith is a disposition that seeks salvation and is shaped by charity or love.
