Journeying with Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas, a theologian and philosopher, is celebrated for his bold questioning and deep understanding of religion and reason. He was a multifaceted individual who contributed significantly to the church and Western culture, with roles ranging from philosopher and scientist to biblical commentator and mystic. His writings aimed to guide individuals towards Christ, and he is known for his devotion to the Eucharist, as demonstrated by his act of placing his work at the foot of the cross, seeking divine approval.

Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225 in the family castle of Roccasecca. His early life was marked by political turmoil, and at the age of five, he was sent to the Benedictine monastery of Monte Casino. There, he developed a love for the contemplative life and the scriptures. At fifteen, he moved to the University of Naples, where he was influenced by Peter of Ireland and became a follower of Aristotle, whose works were then becoming known in the Christian West. Despite initial opposition from the Church, Thomas saw Aristotle's philosophy as complementary to Christianity.

Thomas Aquinas joined the Dominican Order, influenced by the mendicant movement that aimed to revitalize Christianity through a return to the simplicity of the Gospel message. His decision was met with resistance from his family, who had intended for him to become the Abbot of Monte Casino. Despite being locked away in a family castle and subjected to attempts to dissuade him from his path, Thomas's resolve to join the Dominicans only deepened. His family eventually relented, and Thomas went on to study in Paris, where he found his intellectual home and mentor in Albertus Magnus.

Thomas Aquinas's academic career involved a rigorous schedule of reading, teaching, and writing. He was known for his ability to dictate to multiple secretaries at once and was famously absent-minded. His masterpiece, the Summa Theologica, is a compilation of public debates known as disputations, where he would address complex theological questions in a lively and interactive academic environment. The structure of the Summa reflects this process, beginning with a statement of the issue, followed by objections, a resolution, and replies to the objections.

Towards the end of his life, Thomas Aquinas had a profound mystical experience while saying mass, after which he declared he could no longer write, stating that all he had written seemed like straw compared to what had been revealed to him. His health declined, and he was taken to the Abbey of Fossanova, where he passed away on March 7, 1274. His life and experiences are considered by many as evidence of a deep and genuine encounter with the divine.

Thomas Aquinas's understanding of God is characterized by a strong sense of agnosticism, focusing more on what God is not rather than what God is. He emphasizes that God is not a being but being itself, the act of existence without limitation. This perspective leads to the conclusion that God is simple, eternal, infinite, and immutable. Aquinas's approach to God is largely negative, aiming to avoid reducing God to a mere creature or a being among many, thus preserving the transcendence and uniqueness of God.

Aquinas describes God as immaterial, eternal, and immutable, which are not limitations but rather expressions of God's perfection and omnipresence. God's immutability reflects divine reliability, eternality indicates presence in all moments, and immateriality suggests God's omnipresence. These attributes provide spiritual insights into the nature of God and the relationship between God and creation, emphasizing that God's existence transcends the material world and is the source of all contingent existence.

Thomas Aquinas's philosophy emphasizes the coherence between God's nature and human understanding. He argues that God, as ipsum esse or being itself, is not in competition with creatures but is the ground of their freedom and integrity. Aquinas's view of God challenges atheism, which often misunderstands God as a being within the universe rather than the condition for the possibility of existence. His insights serve as a reminder that true spiritual understanding goes beyond empirical evidence and logical reasoning.

Aquinas is known for his approach to faith and reason, arguing against the Latin Averroism that proposed a double truth theory, where faith and reason could contradict each other. Aquinas insisted that both faith and reason come from the same source, God, and thus cannot be in conflict. He viewed faith as supra-rational, going beyond reason without opposing it. This perspective is significant in contemporary discussions where faith is often pitted against rationalism and science.

Thomas Aquinas's theological anthropology emphasizes the unity of the human person, rejecting dualistic views that see the soul as separate from the body. For Aquinas, the soul is the form of the body, giving it life and defining its humanness. He also affirms the resurrection of the body in heaven, where body and soul are reunited, reflecting a holistic view of human existence. Aquinas's anthropology is grounded in the biblical notion that humans are made in the image and likeness of God, characterized by an insatiable desire for truth and the good.

Thomas Aquinas's legacy is multifaceted, with his contributions to philosophy and theology being particularly significant. He is recognized as a pivotal figure who demonstrated that faith and reason are not in opposition and that a believer can engage deeply with their faith through reason. Aquinas's openness to various influences and his respectful approach to differing viewpoints make him a model for contemporary discourse. His understanding of God as transcendent yet non-competitive highlights the liberating nature of his doctrine, which sees God as the foundation of human freedom and integrity.

Aquinas's doctrine presents a vision of God as the life-giving force that enhances the beauty and radiance of the world without consuming it. This perspective aligns with the biblical account of the burning bush, where God's presence is powerful yet does not destroy. Aquinas's view of God as a non-competitive transcendent being offers a liberating and clarifying perspective on the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing that God's existence is not a threat but the very source of human freedom and fulfillment.