About the Book
This volume comprehensively demonstrates Thomas Aquinas' unique contribution to theology, and is the first systematic presentation of the hermeneutics and sources of Biblical Thomism.
Divided into 4 sections, this handbook first surveys the methodological issues and exegetical methods employed by Aquinas. The second part deals with both the major sources of Aquinas' exegesis, as well as the influence of his exegesis. The third part gives an overview of the content and hermeneutical principles present in Aquinas' biblical commentaries – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Book of Psalms, Job, Matthew, John, and Pauline Epistles. The final part discusses systematic themes; explaining how and why Aquinas bases his systematic account of these themes in Scripture, and how this compares to contemporary and ecumenical approaches.
Table of Contents:
List of Contributors
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I. Methodological Explorations
1. "Inspiration" of the Sacred Scripture in St. Thomas Aquinas, Ignacio Manresa (Instituto Teológico San Ildefonso, Spain)
2. Methods, Tools and Sources in the Exegetical Work of St. Thomas Aquinas, Marghareta Rossi (Angelicum, Italy)
3. The Senses of Sacred Scripture, John F. Boyle (University of St. Thomas, USA)
4. The Purpose of the Prologue, Kevin White (Catholic University of America, USA)
5. Thomas Aquinas and the Historical-Critical Method, Anthony Giambrone OP (École biblique, Israel)
Part II. Historical Explorations
6. Biblical Exegesis and Philosophy in Saint Thomas Aquinas, Serge-Thomas Bonino OP (Angelicum, Italy)
7. The Church Fathers, Andrew Hofer O.P. (Dominican House of Studies, USA)
8. Peter Lombard, Piotr Roszak (University of Torun, Poland)
9. The School of St. Victor, Piotr Roszak (University of Torun, Poland)
10. Renaissance Biblical Humanism and Thomism, Matthew T. Gaetano (Hillsdale College, USA)
11. De Locis Theologicis: The Methodological Heritage 16th to 19th Century Scholasticism for the Use of Scripture and Exegesis in Theology, Matthew K. Minerd (Catholic Seminary of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, USA)
12. Biblical Thomism and Ressourcement, Tracey Rowland (University of Notre Dame, Australia)
Part III. The Commentaries
13. The Commentaries on Isaiah and Jeremiah, Joshua Madden (Blackfriars Studium, UK)
14. The Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Christopher Holmes (University of Otago, New Zealand)
15. The Commentary on Job, Ruth Meyers (Albertus-Magnus-Institu, Germany)
16. Lost, Found, and Still to be Explored: Text and Context of the Commentary on Matthew, Anton ten Klooster (Tilburg University, the Netherlands)
17. The Commentary on John, Janusz Pyda O.P. (Catholic Academy, Poland)
18. Thomas Aquinas, Commentator on the Pauline Epistles, Gilbert Dahan (CNRS, France)
Part IV. Systematic Explorations
19. God, Steven J. Duby (Phoenix Seminary, USA)
20. Trinity, Gilles Emery OP (Université de Fribourg, Switzerland)
21. The Goodness and Vanity of Creation: Aquinas's Dialogue with Qoheleth, Tyler Wittman (New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, USA)
22. Providence, Franklin T. Harkins (Boston College, USA)
23. The Theology of Man according to the Biblical Theologian Thomas Aquinas, John Baptist Ku O.P. (Dominican House of Studies, USA)
24. Indirect Virtue: Implications of Aquinas's Scripture Commentaries for the Cultivation of Infused Virtue Angela Knobel (University of Dallas, USA)
25. Sin, Daniel Houck (John Leland Center for Theological Studies, USA)
26. Law, Matthew Levering (Mundelein Seminary, USA)
27. In Praise of God's Goodness: Grace in Aquinas's Biblical Theology, Daria Spezzano (Providence College, USA)
28. The Incarnation, David Moser (Our Lady University, USA)
29. The Life and Resurrection of Christ, John Emery OP (Center for Studies of the Order of Preachers, Argentina)
30. The Sacraments in General in the Biblical Commentaries of Thomas Aquinas, Bernhard Blankenhorn OP (Angelicum, Italy)
31. Escaping Idolatry and Becoming Royal Priests: Aquinas on Baptism and Confirmation, Michael A. Dauphiniais (Ave Maria University, USA)
32. Eucharist, Sr. Albert-Marie Surmanski O.P. (University of St Thomas, USA)
33. Penance and Anointing of the Sick, Roger Nutt (Ave Maria University, USA)
34. Thomas Aquinas and the Sacrament of Holy Orders, Henry Donneaud OP (Institut Catholique de Toulouse and at the Institut Saint-Thomas d'Aquin, France)
35. Matrimony, Paul Gondreau (Providence College, USA)
36. The Quest for Aquinas' Theology of Church: An Ecclesiology sub ratione Dei, Fainché Ryan (Trinity Dublin College, Ireland)
37. The End Revealed: The Literal and Angogical Senses of Scripture in Aquinas's Eschatology, Bryan Kromholtz OP (Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, USA)
Bibliography
Index
About the Author :
Matthew Levering is James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary (Illinois), USA.
Jörgen Vijgen is Professor at the Philosophical-Theological Institute St. Willibrord, The Netherlands.
Piotr Roszak is Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Theology, Uniwersytet im Mikolaja Kopernika, Poland.
Review :
Aquinas was first and foremost a Magister in Sacra Pagina, and every aspect of his theology is deeply shaped by his engagement with the Scriptures. This superb collection of essays highlights this often-neglected key aspect of Aquinas's outlook. In both its range and its depth, it sets a new standard, not just for Biblical Thomism but also for our understanding of Aquinas's entire theology. I recommend it in the most enthusiastic of terms.
Levering, Roszak, and Vijgen have been among the most articulate and prolific proponents of Biblical Thomism. Their attention to the scriptural commentaries of St. Thomas Aquinas along with his theological methods and the contemplative aims of his theological project has contributed both to a deeper understanding of St. Thomas' theology and scriptural exegesis and to a deeper understanding of his contributions to the theology and scriptural exegesis of today. This wide-ranging volume on Biblical Thomism, with contributions from eminent scholars from a wide range of disciplines and perspectives, is a significant contribution to the study of the theological and exegetical legacy of the Angelic Doctor.
This inspiring volume is the first to provide a comprehensive reading of Aquinas's biblical commentaries as an integral part of his speculative theology. Often overlooked by scholars, Aquinas's exegesis is brought to the forefront and explored in all its complexity and originality through an in-depth analysis of its methodology, sources and substantial theological content. This is a valuable reference work for students and specialists wishing to rediscover Aquinas's theology, as it develops in continuous dialogue with Scripture.
