The Trinitarian Theology of St Thomas Aquinas

by Gilles Emery, Francesca Murphy (Translator)

A historical and systematic introduction to what the medieval philospher and theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) said about faith in the Trinity. Gilles Emery, O.P., provides an explanation of the main questions in Thomas's treatise on the Trinity in his major work, the Summa Theologiae . His presentation clarifies the key ideas through which Thomas accounts for the nature of Trinitarian monotheism. Emery focuses on the personal relations of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both in their eternal communion and in their creative and saving action. By highlighting the thought of one of the greatest defenders of the doctrine of the Trinity, he enables people to grasp the classical Christian understanding of God.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion

440 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2007

About the author

Gilles Emery was born and grew up in the Swiss Alps. His language is French, but he likes speaking English. He is a member of the Swiss Province of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). He was ordained a priest in 1989. He has been a high school and University chaplain in Fribourg, and a parish vicar in Geneva, as well as an assistant of Prof. J.-P. Torrell at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Full professor of dogmatic theology at Fribourg University, Switzerland, from 1997 (teaching on the Triune God, Christology, Creation, theological anthropology, and Eschatology). Member of the ITC (International Theological Commission) from 2004 to 2014. he is the chief editor of the French journal "Nova et Vetera" since 2011. In 2012, he received the STM degree (Sacrae Theologiae Magister) from the Master of the Order of Preachers. For more details, including a list of his articles and contributions, go to his webpage: http://www.unifr.ch/dogme/accueil/rec...

Reviews

[Jonathan Platter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read on the Trinity, and definitely an indispensable guide to Aquinas’ theology of God in terms of both speculative and scriptural reasoning. Emery corrects the persistent (mis)reading of Aquinas, according to which Aquinas treats God entirely in abstraction from the earlier Church Fathers and the economy of salvation revealed in scripture. The “speculative” and the “scriptural” do not stand in conflict in Aquinas’ hands. Instead, they are mutually illuminating. As Emery says, reading the economy of salvation and the temporal missions of the triune persons is no less speculative simply because it focuses on revealed history. Any reading of the NT that attempts to makes sense of the co-implicated identities of Father, Son, and Spirit is by nature speculative.

One of the most rewarding chapters, and one that makes most explicit the union of speculative and scriptural in Aquinas’ trinitarian theology, discusses the history and Aquinas’ refinement of appropriation. This chapter also helps to abate the criticisms that charge Aquinas of having an insufficiently trinitarian conception of the divine essence and attributes, for as Emery argues, appropriation allows for scriptural connections between divine action and specific persons of the Trinity to enrich the conceptual content of essential attributes. What can simply be named of God with a degree of agnosticism according to the essence is made specific through appropriation.

A must read for trinitarian theology in general, and especially for anyone hoping to understand Aquinas thinking on the Christian God.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning exposition of Thomas’s trinitarian theology in the Summa, but also considers insights from the rest of his works. It took me over four years of “off and on” reading to finish this book. A remarkable achievement and major source for understanding not just the Thomistic contribution to trinitarian theology but also understanding the structure and meaning of Thomas’s thought in general.

[David Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent text describing the centrality of trinitarian theology to Aquinas's thought. Emery shows a trinitarian monotheism, and one that is inherently deificatory, is essential and at the core of Thomas's theology. This book should be read by who have an academic interest in Thomas, the Trinity, or Christian theology in general.

[Jared Mindel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty amazing book, especially clarifying the concept of a real relational distinction. Highly recommend to everyone, even if you disagree with the analysis. The best thing I got out of this was his discussion of how the term "Word" is actually proper to the Son, not just a metaphor of sorts. Brilliant and a great condensation of St. Thomas's writings on the matter.

[Michael Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This astonishing work treats the problem of human salvation. Realize, dear reader, there is no salvation outside of God, the Father's grace. Alternatively, this is a work which describes the origin, the life, and the final end, beyond death, in the community of the Most Blessed Holy Trinity. Those who see this life as 'final' have condemned themselves, and the earth with the attributes of space and time is their coffin. They have nothing to hope for beyond this coffin which they carry on their backs for an entire lifetime hoping that tomorrow they might find some joy beyond the life of parties and lustful relationships.

Topics Presented in Logical Order:

1. The Revelation of the Holy Trinity in works of the Bible
2. The Persons of the Holy Trinity
3. The Processions of Created Intellects
4. The Person of the Father
5. The Person of the Son
6. The Person of the Holy Spirit
7. The Missions
8. The Missions of Divine Persons and the Missions of Created Persons

Enjoy your salvation!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely thorough, but revealing as to the profundity of Aquinas ‘s theology .

[Tia Septiani · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is my first choice

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most difficult books I’ve ever read. Aquinas plumbs the depths of the concept of “relation” in order to articulate a genuine alterity within the simple unity of God.