Summa Theologica: A Summary of Christian Philosophy

By:  Charles Edric T. Co

St. Thomas Aquinas, a great doctor of the Church, is known most for his work, Summa Theologica, which is considered to be a complete scientifically-arranged exposition of theology which is also a summary of Christian philosophy.  He explains in the prologue that this was written in response to the difficulties experienced by students of sacred doctrine in his day due to the multiplication of useless questions, articles and arguments, the lack of scientific order, and frequent repetitions which cause confusion and disgust in the minds of the learners.

With this in mind, he wrote the Summa which contains 38 treatises and 612 questions subdivided into 3120 articles in which 10,000 objections are proposed and answered.  The whole Summa is arranged on a uniform plan in such a way that every subject is introduced as a question and divided into articles each of which has a uniform disposition of parts.

The Summa is divided into three major parts.  The first part is divided into three tracts:  (1) on those things which pertain to the essence of God, (2) on the mystery of the Trinity, and (3) on the creatures produced by God and the production thereof.  The second part concerns itself with morality and is sometimes called “Moral Theology of St. Thomas” or the author’s treatise on the end of man and on human acts.

The third part, on the other hand, deals with Christ and the benefits He conferred on man; this is divided into three tracts:  (1) on the Incarnaction and on what the Savior did and suffered;  (2) on the sacraments instituted by Christ which have their efficacy from His merits and sufferings; and (3) on eternal life which includes the end of the world, the resurrection of bodies, judgement, the punishment of the wicked, and the happiness of the just who, through Christ, attain eternal life in heaven.

To summarize, the Summa begins with a discussion of God, followed by that on the rational creatures’ advance towards God, followed by a discussion of Christ by Whom we tend to God.

Reference:   
www.newadvent.org