Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) / From the Complete American Edition

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17611

Title

Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) / From the Complete American Edition

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Saint Thomas Aquinas presents a systematic theological inquiry into the nature of God, creation, angels, and humanity. This foundational text explores divine attributes, the Trinity, and the order of the universe, offering profound insights for scholars and seekers alike.

Summary up to 500 words

In the *Summa Theologica*, Part I (*Prima Pars*), Saint Thomas Aquinas establishes sacred doctrine as a science revealed by God, distinct from philosophy yet complementary to it. While human reason can discover truths about God, revelation is essential for salvation because human intellect is limited and prone to error. Aquinas argues that certain truths surpassing reason must be divinely revealed to ensure the surety of human salvation. The work systematically investigates the nature of God, asserting His existence, simplicity, perfection, goodness, and infinity. Aquinas defines God as pure act without composition, whose essence is existence itself. He explains that the name "He Who Is" is most proper to God because it signifies this absolute existence without determining any specific mode. The text further explores the Trinity, detailing the procession of the Divine Persons and their relations, followed by a treatise on creation. Aquinas examines the distinction and adornment of the universe over six days, God's rest on the seventh, and the nature of angels, including their knowledge, will, and fall. Transitioning to humanity, Aquinas analyzes the composition of man as a union of body and soul, exploring the powers of the intellect and will. He considers the state of the first man, the propagation of the human species, and the conditions of offspring regarding body, righteousness, and knowledge. The work concludes with a treatise on divine government, addressing the action of angels on bodies, fate, and the production of man from man. Throughout, Aquinas employs rigorous logical argumentation, addressing objections to clarify complex theological concepts. Characterized by clarity and coherence, the *Summa* stands as a cornerstone of Christian philosophy and theology, offering enduring intellectual value through its systematic exposition of faith and reason.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17611.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg17611.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-07 16:04 UTC

Categories

• Theology
• Catholic Church
• God