A Shorter Summa
by Peter Kreeft
The Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas is one of theology's great monuments, and also one of its longest. Peter Kreeft, a Boston College philosopher, cut a path through it. A Shorter Summa, from Ignatius Press, lets you taste Aquinas directly rather than just reading about him.
Kreeft picks passages on the big questions: what theology is, God's existence and nature, creation, the human soul, happiness, virtue and Christ. He adds notes that unpack Aquinas's vocabulary and method. The Summa's format is itself a lesson. There's a question, then objections, then Aquinas's answer, then replies to each objection. You learn to state the other side fairly before giving your own answer, a habit the internet could use.
It suits inquirers who want to read Aquinas himself, students of philosophy and theology, and catechists who want to see how the Church's greatest teacher reasons. Take it one article at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Aquinas in his own words.
- Key questions on God, the soul, happiness and virtue.
- How the Summa's question-and-objection method works.
- Notes that unpack Aquinas's vocabulary.
It gives the essential passages of Aquinas's Summa Theologiae with helpful notes.
