Thomas Aquinas The Summa Contra Gentiles

The Summa Contra Gentiles as well as the Summa Theologiae are among Thomas Aquinas’ best-known books. Both of these texts have been dated to the latter years of Aquinas’ life as he was approaching his death. A revered scholar, Aquinas works have been the subject of several debates on the purpose of his writings, their intended audience, and their relation to each other. Thomas’ writings span several literary genres, ranging from scriptural commentaries to Aristotelian commentaries as well as opuscula and theological syntheses. These two works are both classified as theological syntheses, but they vary a great deal in terms of scope as well as intent. Whereas the Summa Contra Gentiles is regarded as a manual for the early missionaries, the Summa …show more content…
The book is widely believed to have been written to offer an explanation for, and a defense of the Christian truth in encounters with hostile unbelievers . The arguments in the book are each adapted in order to suit the circumstances for which they are intended. Each of the articles in the book refutes a proposition posited by heretics. The book explicates particular core beliefs of Christianity as opposed to merely expounding on the breadth and the length of the truth in Christianity.
The Summa Contra Gentiles is divided into four books, and two chapters. Thomas covers different aspects in all three books. In Book III, Thomas demonstrates how for him, all creations have their ending in God.
The Summa Theologiae on the other hand is more of a guide, or an instructional material for theologians who may be classified as moderates. The book encompasses all the Catholic Church’s major theological teachings. It lays out the reasoning behind nearly all elements of theology in Christianity. Despite the fact that the book was uncompleted at the time of Aquinas’ death, it is still viewed by many as the single greatest work of Aquinas . The book’s topics follow a defined cycle, beginning and ending with …show more content…
Thomas however argues that there are other delights, which far outweigh bodily delights, yet they do not lead to happiness. He opines that every delight is a proper accident that results from happiness or from a portion of happiness. Thomas posits that a man’s delight arises from a fitting good from reality, hope, or memory. A fitting good if it is perfect is the precise definition of happiness. However, if it is imperfect, it is just a share of happiness . Thus, none of these is delight since delight comes from a perfect