WalterFarrell,O.P.

,ACompaniontotheSumma,volume1
CHAPTERITHEWISEMAN'SBOOK
(Q.1)
1.Thewisemanandhisbook:
(a)Theman:

(1)ObjectionstoThomas.

(2)ApictureofThomas.
(b)Hisbook:

(1)Objectionstoit:

a.Sevenhundredyearsold.

b.Ponderous.

c.Inadead,scientificlanguage.

(2)Thenatureofthebook:

a.Itswisenature.

b.Itspersonalnature.

(3)Aimanddivisionofthebook.

2.Theplaceofdivinewisdominhumanlife:
(a)Itsnecessity.
(b)Itsroleinhumanactivity:

(1)Adivinescienceitsobject.

(2)Itsplaceamongthesciences.

(3)Itscharacteraswisdom.

(4)Itssubjectmatter.

(5)Itsmethod.
Conclusion:
1.Pertinenceofthemanandhisbook
tothetwentiethcentury:
(a)Theman:

(1)HisintereststheperfectionofGod
andtheperfectibilityofman.

(2)HisbattlesindefenseofGodandman.

(3)Hislove.

a.Itsconstantbasis.

b.Itsardor.
(b)Hisbookanantidoteforpoisons:

(1)Ofsuperficiality.

(2)Ofprovincialism.

2.Aphilosophyoflife:
(a)Themeaningoflifeultimateanswers.
(b)Thegoaloflifeaplanofaction.
(c)Theexemplaroflivingawayoflife.

CHAPTERI
THEWISEMAN'SBOOK
(Q.l)

Thewisemanandhisbook
ItisnothardtoadmireSt.ThomasAquinasimmovablycaughtinthesplendorofa
stainedglasswindow;itiseasytopaytributetohisSummaTheologicaaslongas
itremainshighonabookshelfgivingtonetoalibrary.Underthesecircumstances,
weofthetwentiethcenturycanreadaboutthemboth,talkaboutthem
enthusiastically,butprettymuchleavethembothalone.TohaveThomaswalking
amongus,hisbookopenonourdesksforseriousstudythatissomethingelse
again.
ObjectionstoThomas
IfThomasweretodropintoatwentiethcenturyclub,oratwentiethcenturypubfor
thatmatter,hewould,ofcourse,bejudgedbytwentiethcenturystandards.By
thosestandardshecouldexpectnorousingwelcome;hemightbetoleratedinan
amusedfashion,butcertainlynoonewouldgetchummywithhim.Helivedinthe
wrongplace,forhishomewasacloisterandtousacloisterismuchmorepuzzling
thanahealthyappendix.Helivedinthewrongage,long,longbeforethemodern
ageofprogress,intheverymiddleoftheMiddleAges.Hisoccupationwastotally
withoutinteresttous.Hewasaprofessorandawriterofbooks:hisresearches
uncoverednonewvitaminsorexplosives,hehadnothingtosayaboutearning
morepay,heneitherattackedGodnordebunkedmanandsociety,buthehada
gooddealtosayabouttruth,goodness,loveandGod;hisbookshadnoscarlet
pages,noprofanity,nobiologicalrealisminperfumedwords,nosubstitutefor
thinking,andnoescapefromlife.Farfromrejectingthepast,themanactually
reveredoldthings!
Personallyhewasimpossible.Hisfamilywascloselytiedbybondsofbloodtothe
royaltyofallEurope,badenoughinitself;butThomas,turningasidefromthe
soldierlypreoccupationsofhisbrothers,became(thoughnotwithoutafight)a
beggingfriar.Togetthefullforceofthislastonthemodernmind,itmustbeput
cumulatively:hewasafriarandabeggar.Themanhimselfwasanabstractthinker,
acold,ruthlesslogicianproceedingwithmachinelikeprecisionandheartlessness
fromprincipletoconclusionregardlessofconsequences.Hehadnopassioninhim,
forhewasasaint;noheart,forheclungstubbornlytotruth;noimagination,forhe
wasametaphysician;nohumanity,forhefledfromtheworld.
IfaparticleofthisweretrueofThomas,hewouldcertainlyhavenoplaceinthe
livesofmenofourage;ifevenlessofitweretrue,hewouldbelong,notina
stainedglasswindow,butinamuseum.Therearenopeoplefartherapartthan
saintsandfreaks;andthispicturemakesThomasoutagiganticfreak.
APictureofThomas

ThispictureofThomasisworsethanacaricature,itisacalumnyoftheman.There
isnogainsayingthefactthatThomaswasafriar;thebestdefenseofthatcalling
wasnottheonehewrotebuttheonehelived.Itisnotatallthesamethingtofly
fromtheworldandtoflyfrommen:thosewhoflyfrommenwilldiefromthe
spiritualanemiainducedbythefeebledietandthenarrowconfinesofthecellof
self;whilethosewhostandbymen,thoughflyingfromtheworld,willbecrucified
bybothandconsiderthecrucifixionapricewellworththepaying.Thomashas
hadhiscrucifixiondownthroughtheages;perhapsthemostbitteristhemodern
oneofcompletemisunderstandingofhischaracter.
WecomeclosetothetruthwhenweseeThomasasaneageryoungsterplunging
intothepursuitoftruthattheheelsofthegreatestmasterofhistime.Weare
diggingbeneathhisinscrutablesurfacewhenweseehimholdingontothat
youthfulzestinthewaypeculiartothcsaints,supplementingnativegeniusby
laborsevenhisgreatstrengthcouldnotstanduntil,beforefifty,hislifewasburned
out.Throughoutthatshortlifehedreamedgreatdreams,impossibledreams,and
didallamancoulddotomakethosedreamscometrue;comingtotheendofhis
lifehewasforcedtoadmit,asweallare,thattheaccomplishmentfellfarshortof
hisdreams,thatallhehadwrittenseemedassomuchstraw.
Thomaswaseminentlyhuman.Hehadagreatnaturalcapacityforlove.
Bonaventurecouldhavetestifiedtothis;orthesistersofThomaswhowentintohis
towerroomtotalkhimoutoftheconventandcameoutthemselvestalkedintothe
convent.Hehadaknowledgeofhumannatureacquiredinnolittledegreeinhis
trudgingsupanddown,backandforth,inaEuropewhichknewlittledelicacyinits
revelationsofhumannature.Thatknowledgewasdeepened,enrichedbyaloveof
Godandazealforsoulsthatmadehiseverybreath,evenhisdyingone,awind
scatteringtruthbroadcastthroughahungryworldwhicheventuallywouldreapthe
harvestofsoprodigalasowing.
Hehadindeedfledfromtheworld,butnotfrommen.Thismanwasnotwithout
passion,hewasonfire;hisheartwasnotempty,itwasoverflowing;hewasa
metaphysicianinthefullestsenseoftheword,whichmeanshewasapoetanda
pioneerwithimaginationenoughandcourageenoughtostepintothedarkoverthe
edgeoftheworld.Thismandoesn'tbelonginamuseum;hedoesn'tbelongina
stainedglasswindow;hisplaceiswiththedaringones,attheheadofthecrowd,
withtheoneswhohavethecouragetobemen.
Objections:700YearsOld
Still,hissupremebookissevenhundredyearsold.Itmight,yousay,beof
historicalinterest;acollector,whomtherulesdonotobligetoreadthebookshe
cherishes,mightbeenthusedaboutit.Buttheworldhascomealongwayinseven

hundredyears.Thomaswasnotaprophet;whatcouldheknowofourintellectual
advancement.Everyagehasitsownproblems;whatdidThomashavetodowith
democracyasagainstdictatorship,withdoles,plannedeconomy,ormechanized
war?Hisbookwasmedieval;ouragecertainlyisnot.Hiswasanageof
speculation,oursofobservation;hisofapproximation,oursofaccuracy;hisof
faith,oursofreason;hisaleisurelyage,oursoneofspeed.Sowemightgoon,
fondlingthecontraststhatareonlyhalftrueandomittingtheessential
consideration,namely,thatsevenhundredyearshasnotchangedthemodelof
humannature.
AlistoftheproblemsdealtwithintheSummamightaseasilyhavebeendrawn
fromtheschoolsofGreece,thelibrariesofmodernuniversities,or,indeed,from
theheartsandmindsofmenofanyage.Thereis,forexample,theproblemofgood
andevil;ofbeingandbecoming;ofchangeorevolution;ofthegoalofman;of
knowledge;ofGod;ofproperty;ofthestate;ofpleasure;ofduty;oftheoriginof
theworld,andsoon.IftheSummaofSt.Thomashasanythingworthwhiletosay
onthesesubjects,itisofinteresttoanagetorturedasoursiswiththelackof
answerstothefundamentalproblemsofhumanity.Asamatteroffact,St.Thomas
wasmuchtoohumantoturnoutaworkuselesstohumanity,muchtooclosetothe
heartsofmenandwomentohavedealtwiththeseproblemsinanabstractwaythat
wouldbeofinterestonlytotheacademicmind.
Objections:Ponderous
Thebookisponderous,fivefoliovolumesofcloselypackedprint,andmore
closelypackedthought.Wearenotofthatbygoneagethatwouldacceptsucha
formidableworkasanintellectualchallenge,toproveitwasnotasinferiorasit
felt.Weareratheroftheageofheadlines,compendiums,outlinesandsummaries.
Wemusthavereviewsoftheweek,inpicturesforthereallyrushed;summary
magazinesdoourdigestingforus,columnistsdoourpeekingforus,commissions
doourfactfinding.Forourselves,wearealwaysinahurry.
Yet,athreevolumenovelisnottoomuchforus,orevenaonevolumeromanceof
twelvehundredpages.Wedofacepagesandpagesofreports,platforms,speeches,
statistics.Weareoftheageofheroicallyperseveringscientificresearch.Itcannot
bethatweareafraidofwork.Itismorelikelythatwedemandsometangiblefruits
asthegoalinspiringustotheexpenditureofsomuchmentalorphysicallabor.And
itwouldbehardtoquarrelwiththiseminentlyhardheadedattitudetowardslifeor
books.St.Thomasmeetssuchachallengewithhisusualoverwhelminganswer.It
isnottheageofhiswork,itsponderoussize,evenitsmedievaldressthatrepelsthe
layman;buttheunfoundedopinionthatthisworkisnotworththelaborinvolvedin
becomingacquaintedwithit,theresultsofthatlaborarenotpertinenttoanage
startlinglydifferentfromtheageinwhichtheSummaTheologicawaswritten.

Objections:DeadLanguages
Thedressofthebookhasbeenchanged;livelanguageshavewrappedtheir
attractivefoldsaboutit.Notthatsuchachangewassoverynecessary;itisdifficult
tohidethebeautyofyouthbehindthethindisguiseofoutmodedstyle.Onlya
superficialobservercouldhavemissedtheallureoftheSumma.Itwaswrittenwith
enthusiasmfortheenthusiastic,forthebeginnerswhofacelightheartedlythe
agonyofthefirststep.Thereisaboutthebookmuchoftheeagernessofyouth.It
attacksthehighestproblemswithagayheartandsublimeconfidence;itmeetsthe
rebuffofmysterywithyouth'sresiliency;itacceptsthesweepingconclusionsof
truthwithyouth'sidealism,youth'swillingnesstosacrifice.Itaimsathighgoals
withallthevigorofthegreatheartofyouth.
TheNatureoftheBook
ThehumanityandperennialmodernityoftheSummaaretheskeletonwhoseflesh
andbloodisthecultureofalltheages.Withinthisbookisthecompressedessence
oftruthgroundfromtheOrientalandGreekphilosophies,fromSocrates,Platoand
Aristotle,fromtheFathersandfromthoselongthousandyearsthatwentintothe
makingofscholasticism.Yetitisnotamerecompendiumofpastachievement,a
mausoleumofmasterslongsincedead;ratheritisthedescendantofanobleline,
worthyoftheblooditbears.Thehardwontruthofman'searliestsearchfor
wisdompassedthroughafilterinAquinasthatbarrednothingbutthedregswhich
wouldpoisonthedrink.
TheBookisWise
PerhapsthislastisoneofthesupremebenefitsofcontactwiththeSumma
Theologicatheconstantcommunicationwithoneofthegreatestmindsofall
timethroughthemediumofhisgreatestwork.ThecontentsoftheSummahadbeen
preparingintheretortofagiantintellectthroughallofalifetime.Wecanevensee
theslowstepsofpurificationbyglancingatThomas'earlierworksseeingthe
hesitatingagreement,orcarefullyconditioneddisagreement,withthethoughtofhis
masters.Latertheboldstatementofhisownsolutionsdoesnotbalkat
disagreementwiththeolderscholastics,withAlbert,Bonaventure,Augustineand
theFathers,withPlatoandAristotle.Agreements,whereverfound,areevenmore
startling.Here,inthefullfruitofgreatgenius,thereisaneconomyofwordand
conceptthatisdeceiving:afewlinesoftheSummaoftenequalpagesofanearlier
workandyetleaveuspuzzledastowhathasbeenomitted.Frequentlythemarvel
isnotwhathasbeensowellsaidbutwhathasbeensowellleftunsaid.Aprinciple
ispresentedtousbowingdownwithhumanimplications,butpresenteddelicately,
withaprofoundrespectfortheintellectofthereader,likeapoembarelysuggesting
asublimepicture,oranearlyEnglishdramawithoutscenery.Whenawordeither

waymighthaveupsetthedelicatebalanceoftruth,mightindicateanunjustified
emphasis,mightmisleadthereader,thatwordisnotsaid.
ItsPersonalNature
St.Thomassatdowntowritehisgreatestbookasatypistmightpullthecoveroff
hertypewriterandbeginthetranscribingofhernotes.He,too,wasunabashedby
thetaskbeforehim;heapproacheditwithserenesimplicity,unimpressedwiththe
importanceofhiswork.Buthisserenityandsimplicityweretheeternalexpression
oftheconfidenceinspiredbygeniusandsanctity.Headmits,offhandedlyinhis
extremelybriefPrologue,thatheintendstoexposeallthatpertainstotheChristian
religion.lnviewofwhatheactuallydid,thatmeantthatheintendedtowanderthe
corridorsofeternity;andtoneglectnoitemintheexistinguniverse.Hisgaze
wouldfocusonthecrystallinebeautyoftheangelicworld;hisstepwouldnotfalter
beforethemysteriousrealmsofthehumanheart;norwouldhebeconfusedbythe
pettinessandmagnificenceofthemindofman.Hewouldmakeathorough
investigationoftheanimalaswellasoftheangelicsideofthehumanimageof
God.Theorigin,endandmakeupofthephysicalworldhewouldtreatas
profoundlyasthebirth,life,deathandresurrectionofGodmademan.Themystery
andmiseryofsinweretobewellwithinhisfield;and,ofcourse,thcsupernatural
instrumentalityofthesacraments,therichesofthewholelifeofgrace.
TheAimoftheBook
Thomas,facedwiththeabundanceofhismaterial,didnothopemerelytotossit
beforethemindsofmen;heexpectedtoexposeallthisadequately,lucidly,andas
brieflyasthematterpermitted.Moreover,hewasnotaimingatanincreaseinthe
intellectualjowlsofthewellcaredforspecialistsinphilosophyandtheology;he
hadinmind,rather,theunderfed,thestarving,thelittleones,beginnerswhohad
gonehungrytoolong.Heexpectedtoavoidallthatwouldconfusethethinkingof
theselittleones,thatwouldimpedetheirprogress,thatmightcontributetotheir
discouragement.Thethingseemedimportantenoughtothisfirstprofessorofthe
ageofUniversitiesforanexplicitstatementoftheinstrumentshehadforgedto
bringitabout:orderaboveall,simplicity,andtheruthlesseliminationofuseless
questions,argumentsandrepetitions.
TheDivisionoftheBook
Thelaziestmanintheworldmightdrawupaplansuchasthis.Infact,lazymen
areusuallyprolificintheirproductionofplans,perhapsthebettertorelishtheir
idleness.TheastonishingthingaboutThomas'projectisthatitcameveryclose
indeedtocompleteaccomplishment,socloseastoleavetheonlookersbreathless
beforethemassivebeautyofthisintellectualcathedral,obliviousofitsunfinished

sacristy.Thomas'projectwasstoppedbytheonlythingthatcouldstopit.Hedied
whileinthemidstofhistreatmentofthesacramentofPenance.
TheplanoftheSummaisassimpleasthestatementofitsaimsbyThomas.The
firstparttreatsofGod,bothinHimselfandastheprinciplefromwhichtheangelic,
thehumanandthepurelyphysicalworldtaketheirrise;thesecondparttreatsof
man'smovementbacktothesourcefromwhichhecame;thethird,ofthemeansor
theroadwhichhetravelstothatgoalandthehomethatwaitsforhimattheendof
theroad.
ItisthefirstpartoftheSummawhichwilloccupyusthroughoutthisvolume.After
apreliminaryquestion(theburdenoftherestofthischapter)weshallinvestigate
theexistenceoftheoneGod;thentheinnerlifeoftheonetrueGod,orthemystery
oftheTrinity;therestofthisvolumewillbetakenupwithastudyoftheangels,of
menandoftheworld,forthusonlycanwehavethefullstoryoftheprocessionof
creaturesfromGod.Thislatterpartofthepresentvolumewillnotinvolve
argumentaboutangelsontheheadofapin;Thomashadnoroomforstupid
questions.Butitwillinvolvethestudyandappreciationofalloftheworld,not
merelythematerialpartofit;ofallofman,notmerelytheanimalpartofhim;of
alloftheangelicworld,notcynicallyamusedcaricaturesofit.Thepicturesthis
studyhangsinthemindsofmenwillbestrikinglydifferentfromthosethattoday
toooftenclutterthemindandshattertheheart.Manwillnotbefoundpicturedhere
asafrightenedgodperchedonthebarrensummitofaworldinchaos.Norwillhe
beseenasnodifferentinkindfromtherestoftheanimalshisoddlyhuman
capacitiesforpoliticsandpoetryherearenotonlyaccidentaldifferenceswhichset
himofffromthebeastsnomoreessentiallythanthefactthatheissomewhatmore
fastidiousabouthisbath.Godwillnothavethehurried,harassedlookofatimidly
ineffectiveman;theseangelswillnotbeglidingaroundlanguidlylookingfora
holycardonwhichtoalight.Allthesepictureshavenoinspirationintheworldof
reality;anditisonlywithrealitythatweareengagedinthisvolume.
Itisextremelyimportant,attheveryoutset,thatwelayholdfirmlyonthesetwo
facts:Thomas,allhislife,wasarelentlesssearcherforreality,aruthlessenemyof
falsehood;andhissupremeworkwasabookofsupernaturaltheology.Inourown
time,ithasbecomethefashiontodivorcetheologyfromreasonandsotodestroy
anycertitudeofitsrelationtoreality.Asforthesupernatural,wellthatisaninsult
toourselfsufficiencynottobelightlysufferedbyanintelligentman.Itisnottoo
hardtounderstandthemodern'simpatiencewiththesupernatural,formanhas
alwaysbeenproud;butonlytheintellectualsuicideofpositivismcouldbeso
absurdastolimitthehorizonsofaman'smindtowhathecanuncoverbythe
methodsofscience.Thislasthasnoneedofrationalrefutationforthepositivist
contradictshimselfinthedenialsthatmakeuphisdoctrine;headvocatesawayof
death,ratherthanoflife,forlifecannotbelivedonabasisofdenials,itmustbe

fledfrom.Menareintolerantofthecowardiceofescape;theyaresympathetic
towardsaspiritofindependence,evenexaggeratedindependence,thoughthey,and
everyoneelse,arebarredfromexpressingthatsympathywhentheindependence
reachesthestageofvoluntaryconfinement.
Itisunquestionablytruethatman,lefttohisowndevices,cangatheratremendous
amountofinformation;somuch,infact,astobesmotheredunderthepileoffacts
hehasheapeduponhisownhead.Hecaneven,throughthepatientlaborofthe
years,acquiresomethingofwisdom'sunderstandingofthepatternofthings,ofthe
distinctionbetweendetailsandessentials,ofgoalsandmeanstothosegoals.The
pointthatisoverlookedtoooftenisthatamansimplycannotwaitsolongforthe
adventofwisdom.Hehastoknowthesethingsfromthebeginninghehasahuman
lifetolivethroughalltheyearsthataredemandedforthepersonalachievementof
thelongviewofthewiseman;and,forbyfarthegreaternumberofmen,themind,
theheart,thehandsarewelloccupiedinwinningalivelihoodfromagrudging
motherearth.Tobequitefrank,therearemanymenwhowillneverarriveat
wisdomundertheirownpoweriftheylivetobeahundredandhaveabsolutely
nothingtodobutthink.Tobeequallyfrank,itmustbeadmittedthatthewisestof
menaregoingtomakemistakes.
Thismatterofhumangoalsthatgivethedirectionsforhumanlivingismuchtoo
importanttorunsuchrisks.Thisknowledgecannotwait,itcannotberestrictedtoa
few,itcannotbepunctuatedbyerror;ifwearecontenttohaveitso,itisonly
becauseweassumetheunimportanceofthehumanindividual,themeaninglessness
ofhumanlife,thecertitudeoflonglife,theindifferenceoftruth.Allofthese
assumptionsarefalse.Becausetheyare,man,eveninthosethingsthatarenot
strictlyabovehishumanpowers,musthavehelp.Hecanasserthisabsolute
independenceonlyatthecostofcompromisinghisknowledgeofrealityand,
ultimately,atthecostoffailureinthelivingofhumanlife.Hemustaccepttruth
fromthesourceoftruth;andbethankfulthetruthisgivenhim.
NecessityofWisdom
Allthiswouldbetrueifman'slifeweretobefulfilledbyagoalwithinthegraspof
hisnaturalpowers.Whenwefacethefactthattheonlygoalofmanisaboveall
nature,theeternalvisionofGod,weseesomethingofthedesperatenecessityfora
divinerevelationthatwillgivehimknowledgeofthatgoalandthemeansbywhich
hecanarriveatit.
Theillusionofindependencecanbeboughtatmuchtoohighaprice.Itcould
logicallydemandthatweswimoceansratherthandependonashipbuilderanda
navigator,thatwetoddlethroughblizzardsnakeduntilwecanmakeourown
clothes,thatweflybyflappingourarms.Whateverthepricepaid,whenwe

examinethethinginanhonestlight,thewonderisthatweboughtsuchashoddy
productatall;thecertaintyisthatwehavebeenbadlycheated.Thereisnothingso
completelyuselessastheillusionthatweareselfsufficient,forthereisnothingso
completelyfalse.
Wemusthavewisdomfromthebeginningoflife.Itcannotbeourown;norisit
sufficientifitissomeotherhumanbeing's.Itmustbedivine,foronlyGodiswise
fromthebeginning.Tobeginlifewiththewisdomlentusbydivinity,andenditby
possessingthatwisdom;tomeetthechargesateachstationoflifewithdivinely
mintedcoin;toseetheroadthatstretchesbeforeusthroughthefarseeingeyesof
Godthisisnotaninsulttohumannature,itisanennoblementofit.
ADivineScienceItsObject
Inthisatmosphereofnobilitytheologydrawsitsfirstbreathoflife,forthedeposit
ofdivinelyrevealedtruthconstitutesthelifeprincipleofalltheologicalscience.If
philosophy,astheapexofnaturalintellectualeffort,hasdeservedthenameof
humanwisdom,thentheologyisrightlycalleddivinewisdom.Allofitsvaried
fabricisgivensolidsubstancebythethreadofdivinitythatiswovenintoit;ifwe
unravelthatcomplexfabric,thatsinglethreadwillalwaysleadbacktoGod,the
sourceoftruthandthegoalofit.Withoutthatthreadofdivinitytheologyisaname
giventoacrazyquiltthat,paradoxically,isdevoidnotonlyofbeautybutof
variety,monotonouswiththegreymonotonyofdespair.Ithasnothingofwisdom
aboutit,forithasnothingofmeaningaboutit.Butdrawingitslifebloodfromthe
sourceofallorder,theologyisvibrantwithsuchsignificanceasmanwouldnot
havedaredtodream,withdivinesignificanceforcreatureswhohardlydaretoface
humanlifeletalonedreamoflivingdivinelife.
Tospeakoftheologyasasciencemaysoundblasphemoustomodernears.Indeed,
itisblasphemousifwerestrictsciencetothetreasureburiedinthephysicalworld,
atreasuretobeunearthedonlybythepickaxeandspadeoftheexperimental
method.Butifwetakescience,asitshouldbetaken,inthelargersenseofripe
knowledgepluckedfromprinciplesthatescapetheblightofdoubt,wecanhardly
mistaketheologyasacleverimitationofalivescience,tobeputunderglassasa
tributenottoitslifebuttoitsartificiality.Wecan,withaneasymind,exposeitto
theweathertoliveitsrugged,vibrantlife;lettherainfallonitandthewindtugat
it,thesunshineonitanditsenemiesdragtheirtinybodiesoveritsbroadbranches.
Itwilllive;itsrootsaredeepenough,itsleavesbroadenough,itsbrancheshigh
enough;itwilllive.thoughmanyahybriddiebesideit.
Theology'sPlaceAmongtheSciences

Theologyisnomongrelinthepackofsciences.Likeeveryotherscience,ithasits
proper,andutterlydistinctive,fieldthefieldofrevealabletruths.Itsparaphernalia
istotallyinadequatetofurnishitwithitsprinciples:so,incommonwithallother
sciences,itgetstheprincipleswithwhichitstartsandonwhichitdependsfrom
someothersource.Thephilosopher,withnohumanscienceabovehim,accepts
withoutquestiontheselfevidentprincipleshisreasondisclosestohimorheceases
tobeaphilosopher.Thetheologianacceptshisprinciples,notfromthescienceof
thephysicist,themathematicianorthephilosopher,butfromthescienceofGod
andthesaints.Noscienceprovesitsownprinciples;nordoestheology.Butthe
principlesofeveryothersciencearesusceptible,withthehelpofanotherscienceor
directlyfromnature,ofclearvisionbythehumanmind;theologyaloneaccepts
principlestoocleartobeseenbyanymindbutthemindofGod.Itbelievesits
principlesontheauthorityoftheTruthincapableoferrororfalsehood.
Letussupposethatallthesciences,inperson,wereinvitedtodinnerbyagreat
university.Whereshouldtheologybeseated,amongthepracticalorthespeculative
sciences?Well,thethingismorepracticalthandomesticeconomyforitdealswith
themostpracticalofthingsthegoalofamanandtheroadstothegoal;atthesame
timeitismorespeculativethanmetaphysicsforithandlestruthsthataredivine.It
mighttakethegrapefruitwiththespeculativesciences,moveovertoanempty
chairforthesoupwiththepracticalsciences,backtoitsoriginalplaceforthefish,
andsoon;alittlefatiguing,perhaps,butthenwhatcanbedone?Likemanyanother
personwithaninsolubleproblem,thehostesswillshelveitandpretenditdoesnot
exist,forthemomentanyhow.Nowaboutplaces,whowillgetthefirstplaceand
whowillslidehumblyintothewelcomeobscurityoftheseatfardownthetable?In
thespeculativesectionthequestionwillhavetobesettledonthecertitudeofthe
scienceandthenobilityofitssubjectmatter.Theologyjumpsdownfromthat
mentalshelftoworrythehostess:itwouldbehardtofindamorenoblesubject
matterthandivinityortocomparethecertitudeachievedbyahumanmindtothe
certitudeofthedivineword.Butthemethod!Yes,theothersmaybealittleuppish
onthequestionofmethod,butthenhowcanwemakeaparticularmethodthenorm
ofprecedence;isthisascientificdinnerorameetingofasecretsociety?
Verywell,givetheologythefirstplaceamongthespeculativesciences;atleastthat
settlesthequestionofwheretheologywillsit.Inthepracticalsection,precedence
willbedeterminedbytheultimatenessoftheendservedbytheparticularscience.
Obviouslymedicinewillsitabovedomesticeconomy,butdoesitgoaboveor
belowpolitics?Wecansettlethatlater;whatistheverylastendservedbyany
science;theologyagain!Theonlysolutionistosittheologyintheverycenterwith
thespeculativesciencesdescendingontherightandthepracticalontheleft,
hoping,ofcourse,thatnowitbringsupthematterofthesheepandthegoats.

Butenoughofthedinner.Abandoningthefigurativelanguageandgettingdownto
hardfacts,itistruethatthefindingsoftheothersciencesseemmuchmorecertain
tousthantheconclusionsoftheology.Ofcourse;buttheflameofanacetylene
torchisnotlessbrightbecauseitblindsus,lessvisiblebecausewemustseeit
throughsmokedglasses;noristhedivinetruthlesscertainbecauseitistooclear
foroureyes,itisnotlesssurebecausewehavetoseeitthroughtheobscureglass
offaith.Itisalsotruethattheologyusesphilosophy;butthatisnotbecausethe
pillarsofdivinetruthneedsomuchbolstering,itisratherbecauseofthecomfort
ourweaknessderivesfromtheclaspinghandofphilosophy.Butweshallcome
backtothismatterofphilosophylateroninthischapter.
Theology'sCharacterasWisdom
Itisdifficulttoconjureupapictureofarollickingtheologian.Perhapstherehave
beensuch,buttheoddsareagainstit.Notthattheologydemandsthatitsdisciples
allhavelong,whitebeards;butitdoesseemtodemandthatitsyoungestmastersbe
oldanditsoldestmastersbeyoung.Perhapsallthisisbecauseofthebouquetthat
wisdomthrowsoffaswewarmthewordinthehollowofourhands.Wedo
associatewisdomwitholdage,notbecausethemindoftheoldiskeener,theheart
moreeager,butbecausethetiredfeethavewanderedenoughtoknowthehighroad
fromabypath,theoldeyeshaveseenenough,toknowatriflefromthegemfor
whichamanmustsellallhehas,becausetheoldhandshaveworkedattasks
enoughtoknowtheephemeralfromtheenduring.Oldageshouldknowmoreof
theanswers,itshouldseemoreofthepattern,itshouldescapemoreofthe
confusionoftheterrificdetailoflife.Theologyiswisdom,oldwiththeagelessness
ofeternity;butyoungwiththeyouthofaneternalbeginning.
Thewisemantobeconsultedfortheanswersaboutthenewhousethatisgoingup
isthearchitect,notthebricklayer;ifhedoesnotknowthereasonsforthings,there
aren'tany.Hemaybestupidinmanyotherlines,butinthisone,becauseheis
masteroftheultimatepurposesofthebuilding,heiswise;inanyline,this
knowledgeofultimatepurposesbringswisdom.Whentheknowledgeisofthelast
ofallpurposes,itbringsthatwisdomthatneedsnoqualification;byitamanis
simplywise.Thiswillbethemanwhoknowstheanswersthatreallymatter;these
aretheanswersfor,whichthetheologianexists.
Theology'sSubjectMatter
Forthetheologiantreatsofnothingexceptinrelationtothefirstbeginningandthe
lastend.Heisintheintellectualorderwhatthesaintisinthepracticalorder:aman
whollyengagedwithGod.Ageneralordercoveringtheactivityofthetwomen
needsuffernosinglechangeinphrasing:"beginthistaskatonce,workatit
ceaselessly,finishitineternity."FortheloveofGodisnottobeencompassedina

lifetime;neitheristheknowledgeofGod.Howeverfarafieldthemindortheheart
mayseemtohavewandered,bothareengagedwithGodHimselforwiththethings
thatpertaintoGodasBeginningorasEnd.Thesaintknowstheimportantanswers
bythequickintuitionthathasitsdeeprootsinlove;thetheologian,bythereasoned
argumentthathasitsrootsdeepinstudy.Whenstudyandloveareunitedtomakea
saintofatheologian,Godhasbeenexceptionallykindtomen.
Itisintothebookofjustsuchamanthatwearetimidlyedgingourway.Thereisa
definitereassuranceinthefactthatThomasinsistedthatreasonrollupitssleeves
andgetdowntoitshardesttask;thisbringsbackthefirstday'sstudyofany
science.Moreoverhehasadoptedthefullydevelopedformofthatsimilarmethod
ofSocrates;andwhatismorefamiliarthanaquestion?Thedoubleflatteryofa
questionishardtoresist;thecontentedlyignorantandtheinsufferablyomniscient
neveraskaquestion,whilethefoolisaskedaquestiononlybymistake.A
question,afterall,isthemovementofamindinsearchoftruthandthereisnothing
sopleasanttodisseminateastruth.Childrenandscholarsarelivingquestionmarks
and,asThomaswroteforchildishscholars,itwasrightthateveryarticleofhis
bookbeaquestiondemandingastraightanswer.Toclarifytheissue,anopponent,
fictitiousorreal,isintroducedeachtimewithsoforcefulapresentationof
objectionsastocausealittleanxietyintheheartofafollowerofThomas.
MethodofTheology
Thebodyofthearticlesthroughoutconcentratesontheworkofexplaining,
illustrating,persuading,refutingand,wherepossible,proving.Thomas,ofcourse,
doesnotargueabouttheology'sprinciples;nosciencedoesthat.Theinferior
sciencesdependontheirsuperiorstotakecareoftheborrowedprinciples;
metaphysics,withoutasuperior,willargueaboutitsprincipleswithanopponent
whograntssomeofthem;withanopponentwhodeniesallofthemitcando
nothingbutrefutethedenial,exposingitsfalsity.Theprocedureisthesamein
theology,withtheaddedassurancethateveryobjectionindenialhasitsanswerfor
theseprinciplesrestontheimmutabletruthofGod.
Butthereisplentyofroomforargumentintheologybeneaththeprinciples;norhas
thereeverbeenaslackeningofthatargumentationthatdestroyserror,preserves
truthanduncoversstillmoreoftruth.Herephilosophyisputtoworkinearnest;
herehumanreasonisemployedtoitsfulleststrength;forhereisataskworthyof
thegreatpotentialitiesofthemindofaman.Asarewardforthisbackbreaking
labor,theologyrestrictsthefieldofpossiblephilosophicalerror,releasingthis
floodofconservedenergyintothechannelsofrealphilosophicalinvestigation.
Philosophyisnotsubstitutedfor,itisnotdestroyed,notdiluted;forgracedoesnot
destroynature,itperfectsit.Itisnotsupersededbyahigherwisdom;itis
consecratedbythathigherwisdom.

Conclusion:Thomas'Interests
Thisconsecrationandperfectionofnaturebygracewasadominantnoteinthelife
ofThomas.Hecouldneverclosehisearstoitschallenge.Fromthebeginninghis
mindandheartwerecompletecaptivestotheenticementoftheperfectionofGod;
hefoughthismother,hissisters,hisbrothersthathemightbefreertopursueitand,
intheracetoembraceit,nobilityoffamily,wealthandpower,theworlditselfwere
castoffassomuchdeadweightslowinghissteps.Hereadthebookoftheworld
withalltheintenseconcentrationandgeniusofhisgreatmind:heponderedthe
divinelyrevealedsecretslikeamiserfondlinghisgold.Astheyearspassedand
virtuemountedheplungeddeeperanddeeperintothatinfiniteperfectionandwas
moreandmoreoverwhelmedbyit.
KnowingGodsowell,heknewhimselfthebetter.Notonlyhimself,butallmen;it
wasnotfornothingthatthedivineplanshadhimtrampingupanddowntheroads
ofEuropeinanagewhenafriarwasthebelovedpriestofscullerymaidand
princess,ofpeasantandprince.Adullwittedmanwithnohumansympathycould
hardlygothroughsuchanexperiencewithoutacquiringadeepknowledgeof
humannature;andThomashasnotbeenaccused,sincethegrotesqueaccusationof
hisstudentdays,ofbeingdullwittedorunsympathetic.Hereadthesecretsofthe
humanheart,hisownandtheheartsofothers:seeingtheirpettiness,cowardice,
smugmediocrityandevenviciousness,hesawhowfartheycouldgetfromGod;
butseeing,too,theirhighhopes,theirdoggedcourage,theirquickremorseand
unselfishloyalty,hesawhowclosetheycouldcometoGod.Onthisdoubletheme
thesymphonyofhislifedeveloped:theperfectionofGodandtheperfectibilityof
man.
InDefenceofGodandMan
Fromhisfirstappearanceinaprofessor'schairThomaswasembroiledin
intellectualbattle.Thatbattlecontinuedallofhislife;norisitfinishedyet.Itwas,
andis,abattleindefenseofGodandofman.Thomaswouldnotstandbyandsee
GodtorndownfromHisdivinethrone;hecouldnotstandbyandseetheimageof
Goddefacedonearth.Godisperfectandmancanbeperfected;anylesseningof
theperfectionofGodisadenialofHimandanylesseningofthepotentialitiesof
manisadenialofhumanity.Thesetwotruthsmuststandwhateverthecostoftheir
defense:Godisdivineandmaniscapableofashareindivinelife.Onecannotbe
attackedwithouttheothergoingbytheboard;andatnotimeinhistoryhaveboth
comeundersoceaselessafireasinourowntime.
HisLove

ThegeniusofThomascouldhaveputupnosuchfightasitdidwithoutthedriving
forceofalovetomatchitsgreatness.Alovesogreat,soutterlyselfless,so
impervioustotheallureofeveryotherlovecouldbenothingshortofthedivine
lovewhosefullflowergoesbythenameofsanctity.Thomas,fromthebeginning,
washeadoverheelsinlovewithGod;totheendhislove'sgreatproblemwasnot
toholdafickleloverbuttofindthemeansofspendinghimselfenoughtogive
expressiontothatlove.Hecameasclosetosolvingthatproblemasisgiventoman
onearth.
CertainlyThomasplacednoconditionsonhislove.Hedidnotcautiouslyarrange
emergencyexitsincaselove'sdemandsbecametooinconvenient.Therewereno
limitsoftime,ofstrength,ofthought,ofsurrenderinvolvedinthisdivinecontract.
Ratherthatlovewasasearingflamethatconsumedtheman,thathurledhimintoa
whirlwindoflaborthatknewnolulluntildeathstoppedthatgreatheart.Lovesuch
asthismayseemastrangethinginaworldthathasadoptedsecurityasa
watchword.Butonlybylovesuchasthiswillamaneveragaincomesocloseto
othermenandbesointimatelyjoinedtoGod;onlyonthisconditionwillhumanity
everagainhavesuchachampionandGodsuchanapostle.
AntidotetoPoisons
InhisbookThomasoffersthetwentiethcenturyloveandtruth;butthelovecannot
bereveledinuntilthetruthhasbeenmastered.Thistruthcomesasaratherviolent
antidotetothetwomodernpoisonsofintellectualsuperficialityandnaturalistic
provincialism.
Superficiality
Anothernameforthatintellectualsuperficialityisintellectuallaziness.Itconsists
inthateasygraspingatthefirstandpartialanswer,breedingsmugsatisfactionand
ashallownessthatwillnotfloatanidea.Thisbooklookstothelastandthe
adequateanswer,theanswerthatawesandhumiliates,theanswerthatwillintrigue
aman'smindforalifetimeanddirecthisactionsbeyondthelimitsoflife.Thomas'
effortforbeginnerswasnotdirectedtothecultivationoftheabilitytoquoteothers;
itsaimwastodevelopthecapacitytothinkforoneself.Hisisnotanemphasisof
factstotheneglectofwisdom;hisbookcannotbereadasamemoryexercise.
Layingitasideaftersomecarefulreading,wecannotdismissitwithsuchremarks
as:"howinteresting,howodd."Itwillhitusbetweentheeyes,oritwillnottouch
usatall;fortheultimateanswerscannotbelookedatwithoutdeeppersonal
reverberations.
ProvincialismofNaturalism

Againsttheprovincialismofnaturalism,Thomasdiscoversthemeaningofthe
naturalworldbyfranklysteppingintothesupernatural;hediscoverstheperfect
fulfillmentofmanbyrefusingtoacceptmanastheperfectfulfillmentofthe
universe;hisbookrejectsthemodernist'scontemptforthepastbyofferingcultural
contactwiththewisdomoftheagesandwithoneofthegreatestintellectsthe
worldhasyetseen.
Life'sMeaning,GoalandExemplar
Thismanisnottobeframedinastainedglasswindow;hisbookisnotalibrary
decoration.Thisisamanandabookprovidentiallydesignedfortheneedsofthe
twentiethcentury.Certainlynoagehasgreaterneedforultimateanswers,foraplan
ofaction,foranexemplarofhumanliving;fornoagehashadlessconceptionof
themeaningoflife,thethingsthatgointosuccessfulliving,themannerinwhich
humanlifemustbelivedtobesuccessful.Inhisthreegreatdivisionsofthisbook,
Thomasgivesuspreciselythesethings:astudyofthedivinearchitectandHis
completedwork;astudyofthegoalofhumanlifeandthehumanactionsbywhich
thatgoalisattained;astudyoftheGodwhobecamemanthatmenmightbecome
likeuntoGod.