What is the Summa Theologica?

Answer

Written between 1265 and 1273, the Summa Theologica (also known as Summa Theologiae, or simply the Summa) is a comprehensive summary of the theology of the Roman Catholic Church, as presented and organized by Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274).

Aquinas utilized Aristotelian philosophy as the foundation for the Summa Theologica, viewing Aristotle as an ally of Christianity, contrary to earlier perceptions of him as an adversary. However, Aquinas did reject Aristotle’s idea of a distant and uninvolved God in favor of the biblical God, who is deeply engaged and knowable. Pope Leo XIII (1879) declared the Summa Theologica as the official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Summa Theologica is structured into three parts. The first part delves into the essence of God, creation, angels, humanity, and divine governance. The second part discusses ethics, virtues, law, faith, wisdom, temperance, morality, prophecy, miracles, and the contemplative life. The third part educates the reader on the teachings of Christ, encompassing His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Aquinas also addresses the significance of sacraments in absolving sins within this section. A substantial portion of the third part is dedicated to elucidating the sacraments.

The Summa Theologica remains in circulation and is accessible today. While it serves as a crucial resource on Roman Catholic theology, there are aspects that Protestants may find agreement with, such as arguments for God’s existence, ethical principles, epistemology, the relationship between faith and reason, and the study of humanity. Presently, many evangelicals, particularly apologists, identify as Thomists, adhering to the philosophical framework of Thomas Aquinas. Norman Geisler, a prominent modern apologist who passed away in 2019, exemplified this perspective.

Roman Catholicism holds divergent theological views on various fronts.

Issues such as justification—how a person is justified with God—were indeed central to the Reformation. Most of the theological differences in the Summa Theologica arise in the third section with its focus on sacramentalism.

The Summa Theologica is a substantial volume, comprising over a million and a half words discussing 512 topics and 2,668 articles on a wide range of theological subjects. The English translation spans over 2,500 pages. The thoroughness and structure of the work are apparent. The intellectual brilliance of the author is undeniable. The significance and impact of the Summa are extensive. If only all the theology it presents were based on the Bible.