My journey with St. Thomas Aquinas

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awalt

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I am starting out to read a Shorter Summa, to eventually work my way up to the Summa of St. Thomas’ book.

It’s very interesting t me, and it raises a lot of thoughts, but I struggle. But wow what clarity in thought!

My quesiton is this - are the some good web sites where discussions of interpretations are conducted? I have heard there are some bad sites that can mislead, I would like to read more about the Articles I read to understand them better.

Thanks!
 
I would recommend the book, “A Companion to the Summa” by Walter Farrel, O.P. It is no longer in print but you can find it online at the following link.

op.org/Farrell/companion/

This re-presents Aquinas’ Summa in a more modern way; although it is from the 1930’s and 40’s so it is not THAT modern.
 
You can find a book by F.C. Coppleston simply called Aquinas.

It gives a good, clean introduction to the meanings several key concepts.

For example, you will get so much more out of Aquinas if you know what is meant by substance, form, primary matter, potency and act. These are very deep and fascinating concepts which, once you get them, can change the way you look and think about nature.

Also, you might graduate to a book by Gilson, The Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. It is written at an intermediate to advanced level, and is a good next step.
 
After reading ‘Theology For Beginners’ by Frank Sheed and discovering that Sheed had been taught by Thomists I thought I would like to find out more about the Summa. I had a look at The Summa on New Advent and knew that it was too difficult for me to understand at the present moment and so I bought "My Map of Life’ - Pocket Edition of St Thomas - The Summa Simplified for Everyone by Walter Farrell, O.P, S.T.M. and Martin J Jealy S.T.D. published in 1952 by the Confraternity of the Precious Blood.

I am still finding this difficult but I will persevere. I can recognise some of Sheed’s explanations and so this makes my journey a little easier. When/if I ever finish it I will probably read Fr Farrell’s earlier work online.
 
Read St. Thomas Aquinas through, then go back and read it one paragraph by paragraph…slowly. He was the first Saint that influenced me deeply.
 
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