Theology
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Aquinas’s Case for Apostolic Succession (and the Papacy)
In the fourth book of his Summa contra Gentiles (SCG), St. Thomas Aquinas considers the sacraments of the Church as extensions and instruments of Christ’s incarnation and redemptive acts. The sacraments are the means by which we participate in Christ’s incarnation, passion, death, resurrection: “Since . . . the death of Christ is as a universal…
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St. Albert the Great on whether God would have become man, if man had not sinned
There is a famous controversy between St. Thomas Aquinas and Bl. John Duns Scotus on the question of whether God would have still become man, if man had not sinned/fallen. Bl. Scotus says yes, for reasons having to do with his theory of the Primacy of Christ; St. Thomas gives a cautious “no,” because he…
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Translation: John of la Rochelle, Summa de Anima, Prologue and I.I.1
The Summa de Anima of the Teacher Brother Johannes de Rupella [John of la Rochelle] Prologue “If thou know not thyself, O fairest among women, go forth, and follow after the steps of the flocks” etc. [Cant. 1:7]. This word is proposed to you, rational soul, you who are the fairest (pulcherrima) of women, since…
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Translatio: St. Albertus Magnus, Summa Theologiae, Book I Prologue
Begins the first book on the mystery of the Trinity and Unity according to Brother Albert, professed of the Order of Preachers, once bishop of Ratisbon. “Thy knowledge is become wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it” [1]. In this authority six things are noted, in which the science of…
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Translatio: Bonaventure’s Commentary on the Sentences, Prooemium (Part 1)
Prooemium Sancti Bonaventurae In Librum Primum Sententiarum [1] “He has searched the depths of rivers, and has brought forth into light hidden things” [profunda fluviorum scrutatus est, et abscondita produxit in lucem]. Job XXVII, 11 That word, which has been accepted from Job twenty-eight, having been considered more diligently by us uncovers the way for…
Disputed Questions 