Audiobooks by Thomas Aquinas

The four books of the Summa contra Gentiles were written by Thomas Aquinas between 1259-1265, before the considerably larger and more influential, Summa Theologica. The purpose of each work was different. Whereas the Summa Theologica addressed the faithful, especially theology students, the intention of the Summa Contra Gentiles (Systematic Exposition Against Non-Christians) was to speak to a non-aligned and even hostile audience. To that purpose, Aquinas presented arguments ‘refuting specific beliefs or heresies.' There is some evidence that it was suggested that Aquinas write Summa Contra Gentiles to convert particularly the Jews and the Muslims – at least they were underpinned by monotheism. Book I focuses on the one God. There are 102 chapters. Book II concerns the Creation, the physical universe. There are 101 chapters. Book III discusses Providence. There are 163 chapters Book IV looks at ‘Nicean' Christian doctrine in the light of other monotheistic traditions and practices. There are 97 chapters. The schema Aquinas developed was very straightforward and was continued during the Summa Theologica. Each chapter is given a topic, which is then discussed in detail. Book I Chapter V: ‘That those things which cannot be investigated by reason are fittingly proposed to man as an object of faith.' Book II XV ‘That God is to all things the cause of being.' Book III XXIX ‘That man's happiness consists not in glory.' Book 4 XXIX ‘The error of the Manicheans concerning the Incarnation.' Aquinas also established his insistence on referencing philosophy from the pre-Christian era, specifically Aristotle whom he calls The Philosopher – acknowledging his importance in Western thought. In fact, in Book I Chapter I he opens with a reference to ‘the Philosopher's opinion'. This translation, published in 1924, is formally ascribed to ‘The English Dominican Fathers from the latest Leonine Edition'. But is now acknowledged to be, like the translation of the Summa Theologica, the work of one man, Father Laurence Shapcote (1864-1947). Living in South Africa as he did, it was a remarkable achievement.

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Martin Swain (Narrator)

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Summa Theologica: Volume 5, Supplement to Part 3

Thomas Aquinas (c1225-1274) died before he could complete his ambitious plan for Summa Theologica, described as ‘a systematic compendium' of Roman Catholic theology. Drawing on a wide range of Christian sources - and, controversially, on Greek and Latin philosophers as well as Arabian commentators - he sought to explicate matters of doctrine through a specific scheme of Question, Article, Objection, Answer and Reply. Before his death, Aquinas completed the first 90 Questions of the Third Part. This left a series of issues unexamined. However, the overall scheme was brought to a conclusion by Fra Rainaldo da Piperno (c1230-c1290), a life-long friend and associate of Aquinas. Fra Rainaldo drew on an earlier work by Aquinas, the Commentary on the Fourth Book of the Sentences of Peter Lombard, to produce the Supplement to the Third Part, in which a further 99 Questions are dealt with. It opens with a continuation of the section on Penance, left unfinished on the death of Aquinas. Other general topics covered are Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, Matrimony and the Resurrection. The Supplement closes with two Appendices largely addressing the subject of Purgatory. The translation is by Father Laurence Shapcote of the Dominican Order. Martyn Swain brings clarity and experience to this final segment of Aquinas' magnum opus.

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Martyn Swain (Narrator)

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Summa Theologica: Volume 4, Part 3 (Tertia Pars)

Summa Theologica Part III (Tertia Pars) is volume four in Ukemi Audiobooks' complete recording of Thomas Aquinas's momentous work on Christian theology and philosophy. Born in Sicily in 1225, he was a friar in the Dominican Order, but during his lifetime he was recognised as a leading figure through his writings as a philosopher, theologian and jurist. He was the first major Christian theologian to absorb the ideas of Aristotle, Averroes and other non-Christian figures, a stance that made him a target for criticism. But Dante (1265-1321) was among many who admired him and placed him in 'Paradiso' in The Divine Comedy. In 1273, it is reported, Aquinas had a mystical experience while celebrating mass that rendered him unable to continue with his writing work. He died three months later, on 7th March 1274, leaving Part III unfinished. However, it remains a substantial conclusion. If, broadly speaking, Part I (Prima Pars) was concerned with theology, and Part II (both Prima and Secunda) with ethics, Summa Theologica Part III (Tertia Pars) focuses on Christ, and in the course of 90 questions, considers the Incarnation and the Sacraments. As a teacher and example to humanity, Christ was the suitable path to God, Aquinas writes, the incarnation enabling the bringing together of divine and human nature. Meanwhile, the Sacraments enabled grace to be imparted to men, having a direct spiritual effect. The presentation of the discussions in Part III follow the pattern we have become so familiar with from earlier parts with the statement of the question, then a series of objections, further considerations and finally Aquinas's replies to each of the objections. Part III is divided into two sections: 'Treatise on the Incarnation' (Questions 1-59), and 'Treatise on the Sacraments' (60-90). Opening with ‘Of the Fitness of the Incarnation' in six articles, with Article I asking ‘Whether it was fitting that God should become Incarnate', Aquinas considers the meaning, the role and the purpose of Christ. Other specific topics raised are: ‘Of the Grace of Christ as an individual man', ‘Of Christ's Unity of Being', ‘Of the Priesthood of Christ', ‘Of Christ as called the Mediator of God and man'. Aquinas moves on to other aspects of Christ's birth and life with ‘Of the Virginity of the Mother of God', ‘Of the Annunciation', ‘Of the matter from which the Saviour's Body was conceived', ‘Of Christ's manner of life' and ‘Of the Death of Christ'. In opening the 'Treatise on the Sacraments', Aquinas asks ‘What is a Sacrament (in eight articles)', and goes on to question the ‘Necessity of the Sacraments', their principal effects (grace), their causes, and the number of the sacraments. In logical order he considers baptism, circumcision, confirmation, the sacrament of the Eucharist and transubstantiation. The final six questions focus on the sacrament of penance - and it is here that the Summa Theologica as written by Thomas Aquinas comes to a close. He left the work incomplete on his death. This final Part, as with the others, was translated by Father Laurence Shapcote of the Dominican Order, in an extraordinary, sustained effort over decades during the first half of the 20th century. Living, for the most part, a quiet life in South Africa, he dedicated his life to this task which required not only the heighted and sensitive skills of the master translator, but also a remarkable knowledge of theological and philosophical literature from the classical world

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Martyn Swain (Narrator)

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Summa Theologica: Volume 3, Part 2 of Part 2 (Secunda Secundae)

Secunda Secundae is the longest part in this immense undertaking by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). His purpose was nothing less than to survey the theological teachings of the Catholic Church, while absorbing, controversially for his time, many other strands of learning and philosophy, varying from ancient Greek (particularly Aristotle) to Muslim writers (Averroes and Avicenna) and the Sephardic Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides. Secunda Secundae follows the established pattern of presenting topics in terms of Questions divided into Articles which are further divided into clearly considered lines of debate. There are 189 Questions which are grouped into four ‘Treatises' - focussed areas for discussion: Treatise on the Theological Virtues (Questions 1-46), Treatise on the Cardinal Virtues (Questions 47-70), Treatise on Fortitude and Temperance, (Questions 123-170), Treatise on Gratuitous Graces (Questions 171-182), and the final short section, Treatise on the States of Life (Questions 183-189). Part II of the Summa Theologica is broadly concerned with ethics, and in this Part II of Part II, Aquinas turns his enquiry towards virtues. It opens with the enquiry into faith, considering the acts of faith, the cause, the effects, hope and their contraries: heresy, apostasy, blasphemy, despair and more. The four cardinal virtues are then examined, prudence and justice being followed by fortitude and temperance, often with the positive and negative states being juxtaposed: humility and pride; sobriety and drunkenness; fasting and gluttony. Prophecy, rapture, and ‘The Division of Life into the Active and the Contemplative', are among the topics in Gratuitous Graces, ending with the consideration of man's various duties and states in general and the state of perfection in general. As always, Aquinas supports his argument with a wealth of references - notably from St Augustine, of course, but also from a rich and varied list of sources. Throughout this long but sustained work, Aquinas demands continuous attention through his clarity of intellect and expression. A continuing tribute must be made to Father Laurence Shapcote of the Dominican Order who, while based in South Africa in the first half of the 20th century, made this translation from Latin his life's work. Martyn Swain continues his impressive reading of this major Western medieval classic of theology and philosophy.

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Martyn Swain (Narrator)

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Summa Theologica: Volume 2, Part 1 of 2 (Prima Secundae)

Summa Theologica consists of three main parts. The second part is divided in two, and this recording presents Prima Secundae - Part I of Part II. Taken in its entirety, Summa Theologica forms an essential contribution to the canon of Catholic doctrine and was written in the last decade of his life by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian-born Dominican friar. Although he died before completing it, the body of thought it contains is a continuing influence to the education and guidance of students of theology in the main Christian traditions. Prima Secundae comprises seven essential treatises on the subjects of: The last end Human acts Passions Habits Vice and sin Law Grace Within these treatises the writer considers a vast range of topics. In the Treatise on the Last End he explores and illuminates the Catholic understanding of human actions and related questions on reason and appetite design and causality. In the Treatise on Human Acts his subject is the will and the nature of good and evil. In the Treatise on the Passions he undertakes a detailed consideration of the nature and importance of the major feelings and emotions: love and hatred, concupiscence and delight, pain and sorrow, fear and daring, and anger. In the Treatise on Habits he examines the relationships existing between habits and their causes and effects as well as the nature and essence of the intellectual, moral, cardinal, and theological virtues. The treatise ends with a consideration of the beatitudes and blessings of the Holy Ghost. The Treatise on Vice and Sin deals with understanding the essential nature of vice and sin, the internal and external causes of sin, the role of human free will, the role of the devil, the corruption of nature, and the differences between venial and mortal sins and their corresponding punishments. The Treatise on Law compares and contrasts the various types of law: eternal, natural, human, and law as revealed in the Old and New Testaments with detailed consideration of ceremonial and judicial precepts. The Treatise on Grace considers its necessity essence cause and effects. As in the rest of Summa Theologica, the Prima Secundae is logically structured. Each main heading or question is subdivided into points of inquiry or numbered articles. Each article is then formulated as a series of numbered objections to the idea to be postulated, followed by their counter statements. Aquinas' summation is preceded by the phrase ‘I answer that...' which then clarifies the issue under discussion. There are also individual replies for further clarification where necessary. Long considered a classic text in philosophy and theology, Summa Theologica now offers the listener detailed expositions and considerations of the thinking of figures such as St. Paul (referred to as the Apostle) as well as non-Christian figures such as Aristotle (referred to as the Philosopher), Boethius, Muslim writers including Averroes (Ibn Rushd) (referred to as the Commentator) and Avicenna (Ibn Sina), and the Sephardic Jewish scholar Moses Maimonides (referred to as Rabbi Moses), among others. The translation used has been formally attributed to Fathers of the English Dominican Province, though it is generally accepted it was the work of one man: Father Laurence Shapcote. It is read with clarity and fluency by Martyn Swain.

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Martyn Swain (Narrator)

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Summa Theologica: Volume 1, Part 1 (Prima Pars)

The Summa Theologica, by Thomas Aquinas, is a fundamental text in Catholic doctrine, a compendium of theology that has been studied and debated since its first publication in the 13th century. Furthermore, it has been widely regarded as one of the classics of Western philosophy, not least because, perhaps for the first time in such a systematic manner, it set out to consider the views of non-Christian figures such as Aristotle, Boethius, Muslim writers including Averroes (Ibn Rushd) and Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and the Sephardic Jewish scholar Maimonides. The work proved a major influence on Dante when he came to write the Divine Comedy and continues to be studied in most of the major Christian traditions. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian-born Dominican Friar, wrote the Summa Theologica between 1265 and 1274 - it was unfinished at his death. He set out to provide a basic introduction to students, but the scope and detail goes far further than that. It is a huge work, approaching two million words in total. It is divided formally into three parts, though the third was completed after his death by incorporating earlier writings. The three main sections are generally further subdivided, and this is reflected in the Ukemi recording. This opening recording contains the First Part (Prima Pars). It will be followed by Second Part (Prima Secundae - the first part of Part II); then Second Part (Secundae Secundae - the second part of Part II); and finally Part III. Aquinas ordered his work in a clear and regular pattern. He starts with a Question, divides the Question into a number of ‘Articles', and within each Article he enters into a debate, offering Objections and Replies to the Objections. Part I (Prima Pars) has 119 Questions and 584 Articles and is essentially devoted to God's existence and nature. The first Question is ‘The Nature and Extent of Sacred Doctrine'. The second Question (widely read and discussed) is ‘The Existence of God', which includes his proposal of ‘the five ways' proving the existence of God. First Part is further divided into sections: Treatise on the Creation, Treatise on the Angels, Treatise on the Work of the Six Days, Treatise on Man, Treatise on the Divine Government. The final Question in the First Part is ‘Of the Propagation of Man as to the Body'. The translation used has been formally attributed to Fathers of the English Dominican Province, though it is generally accepted it was the work of one man, Father Laurence Shapcote. It is read with clarity and fluency by Martyn Swain.

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Martyn Swain (Narrator)

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Treatise on Law

Saint Thomas Aquinas, an Italian philosopher and Dominican friar who lived during the thirteenth century, was the greatest of the medieval theologians. His writings harmonized faith and reason, which resulted in a Christian form of rationalism. This treatise comprises questions 90-97 of the Summa Theologica, in which St. Thomas presents a philosophical analysis of the nature and structure of law. Believing that law achieves its results by imposing moral obligations rather than outright force on those subject to it, he proceeds to explore vital questions about the essence of law, kinds of law, effects of law, eternal law, natural law, human law, and changes in law.

Thomas Aquinas (Author), Robin Lawson (Narrator)

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