Aquinas' Summa Theologica II: God, Part II (SCM Briefly) - Softcover

Daniel, David Mills

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0334040906 ISBN 13: 9780334040903

Publisher: SCM Press, 2006

Synopsis

The first part of the Summa Theologica by Aquinas was dealt with in an SCM Briefly guide that published in May 06. The second part of the Summa Theologica is dealt with in this book. Aquinas' Summa Theologica is his most famous work. It was intended as a manual for beginners as a compilation of all of the main theological teachings of that time and consists of a summary of the reasonings for almost all points of the Catholic faith. It is the fullest presentation of his views and covers the widest range of subjects - reason, sin, just war to name but a few - in detailed philosophical language. He worked on it from 1265 until the end of his life in March 1274. When he died he had reached question ninety of Part III, on the subject of penance. Part I, dealing with questions of God, we have dealt with in a previously published Briefly, here we look in detail at Part II, which concerns man's striving for the highest end. It is structured as a series of questions and assertions and relies heavily upon key thinkers and writers at that time, including Aristotle, St Augustine, Dionysius and Rabbi Moses. All of this is dealt with succinctly, yet fully referenced to the original text, in this Briefly guide.

For further information on the series and the opportunity to take part in an open forum with the author please go to our new brieflys website at http://www.scmbrieflys.co.uk/

About this title

Review:

'The new "Briefly" series by the SCM Press does exactly what it says: it briefly introduces...key philosophical texts...in a very accessible way without compromising the ideas involved through oversimplification. The books are very useful for teachers who teach A-level philosophy of religion modules and also their students, who are able to read these short texts for themselves.' -- R.E. News Autumn 2006

'The painless way to become well read...a sure-footed guide to complex and weighty matters...Daniel shows himself to be a sure-footed guide, with an obvious gift for presenting complex ideas clearly and concisely...'
-- Church Times, October 2007

'This series provides a very useful and student-friendly stepping stone between secondary and primary texts...the contextual matter is concise and accurate and, most important, it is written with clarity and in an engaging manner...Apart from the obvious student market, many general readers will welcome such useful introductions to some of the great names of Christian history.'
-- Journal of Education and Christian Belief, Spring 2007

'This two-part introduction to Thomas Aquinas' "Summa Theologica"...is well-designed for someone needing a "crash course" on the "Summa"...Particularly praiseworthy is Daniel's balanced and accurate discussion of the relation between faith and reason...he renders the questions dealing with God's attributes compelling...these two volumes admirably serve their purpose.' -- Journal of Religion and Theology, September 2007

Synopsis:

The "SCM Briefly" series is a series of summarized texts that are commonly used on theology and philosophy A level and Level One undergraduate courses in the UK. As students are less likely today to come to these subjects with language experience, the "Briefly" series, summarising the meaning of the original texts, is a painless and quick way to get to grips with what the philosophers were writing about. The language throughout is modern and approachable, but the books manage to avoid "dumbing down" by including line by line analysis and short quotes to give students a feel for the original. In addition, each book begins with an introduction, providing a context for the writer and his writings, a short summary as well as the detailed summary and each book also contains a glossary of terms. The first part of the "Summa Theologica" by Aquinas was dealt with in an "SCM Briefly" guide that published in May 06. The second part of the "Summa Theologica" is dealt with in this book. Aquinas' "Summa Theologica" is his most famous work.

It was intended as a manual for beginners as a compilation of all of the main theological teachings of that time and consists of a summary of the reasonings for almost all points of the Catholic faith. It is the fullest presentation of his views and covers the widest range of subjects - reason, sin, just war to name but a few - in detailed philosophical language. He worked on it from 1265 until the end of his life in March 1274. When he died he had reached question ninety of Part III, on the subject of penance. Part I, dealing with questions of God, we have dealt with in a previously published "Briefly", here we look in detail at Part II, which concerns man's striving for the highest end. It is structured as a series of questions and assertions and relies heavily upon key thinkers and writers at that time, including Aristotle, St Augustine, Dionysius and Rabbi Moses. All of this is dealt with succinctly, yet fully referenced to the original text, in this "Briefly" guide.

About this edition

• Publisher: SCM Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0334040906
• ISBN 13: 9780334040903
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96