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Why Do We Still Need Aquinas?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2024
Abstract
This paper seeks to demonstrate the enduring importance of the teachings and methodologies of Thomas Aquinas to the theological project. The paper has three parts. The first part emphasises the importance of Aquinas’ clarity in dealing with the question of God, emphasising how God is radically transcendent and yet sovereignly present to, and active in, creation. The second part addresses Thomas Aquinas’ thought on human relatedness to God, especially in the area of prayer. The third part focuses on Aquinas’ account of human flourishing as virtuous living. A no less goal of this paper is to demonstrate that, even if Aquinas had not said anything about a particular issue as perhaps the question we seek to address is of of our time, much is to be gleaned from his precise and clear, analytical and argumentative approach to all questions.
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References
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30 In using the term ‘relation’ Aquinas is not understanding by this term what today is termed a ‘relationship’. In Aristotelian terms a distinct relation is predicated for each term, thus resulting in two relations which may or may not be equivalent. The God-universe/Creation-creator pairing is an example of a non-equivalent relation. I am related to God by creation, that relation is necessary, it describes who I am. The relation of creation to Creator is necessary, while the relation of Creator to creation is only necessary for a truthful predication that God is Creator.
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