Knowing the Love of Christ: An Introduction to the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas - Softcover

Michael Dauphinais; Matthew Levering

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0268033021 ISBN 13: 9780268033026

Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press, 2002

Synopsis

Knowing the Love of Christprovides a thorough introduction to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas in accessible language. As a complement to the many short introductions to St. Thomas’s philosophy, this book fills a gap in the literature on Thomas—a comprehensive introduction to his thought written by theologians. With enthusiasm and insight, Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering make available the vast theology of Thomas Aquinas.

Focusing upon the Summa Theologiae, Dauphinais and Levering illumine the profoundly biblical foundations of Thomas’s powerful vision of reality. Drawing upon their own experience, the authors guide readers into grappling with the fresh and penetrating insights of St. Thomas. Students at all stages of theological education will find this book an enriching introduction to the mysteries of the Christian faith.

 

“Dauphinais and Levering capture the teaching of Thomas with thoroughness, lucidity, and completeness. I find this book an extraordinary accomplishment.” —Romanus Cessario, O.P., St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts

 

“The beginner often finds St. Thomas Aquinas daunting. Dauphinais and Levering have done a masterful job of presenting the major themes of Thomas’ thought in a clear, concise, and yet faithful fashion. Anyone wanting to begin to study Thomas could not find a better starting point than this book. An added blessing is that the book will lead the reader to a deeper love and appreciation of the Christian Gospel. Aquinas himself would heartily approve.” —Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M., Cap., University of Oxford

 

“The strength of this book is to give an overview of Aquinas’ theological developments in prose that is accessible to nearly everyone. It is a remarkable piece of work.” —David B. Burrell, C.S.C., University of Notre Dame

 

“One of St. Thomas’s many prodigies was his ability to speak, at once, as a biblical theologian and a dogmatic theologian. He is the exemplar in both fields. I know of no other introductory text that presents Thomas’s dual genius so richly, so clearly, and in a way that is accessible to ordinary lay Catholics and undergraduates.” —Scott Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville

About this title

About the Author:

Michael Dauphinais is associate professor of theology and dean of faculty at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida.

Matthew Levering is professor of theology at the University of Dayton. He has published numerous books, including Christ’s Fulfillment of Torah and Temple: Salvation According to Thomas Aquinas (2002) and Participatory Biblical Exegesis: A Theology of Biblical Interpretation (2008), both published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

Review:

“[A] remarkable achievement.... This is an excellent introduction to the major themes in the writings of Thomas Aquinas, but it is more than that. It is an interpretation that helps to bring the contemporary reader back to the deepest spiritual intentions of the Master.”
(Interpretation)

“This book offers us an easily accessible and well-crafted treatment of the major topics in theology, worthy of any bedside table. And as an introduction to Aquinas’ theology, the book uncovers, for both expert and novice alike, the biblical roots of his thought, which have often gone unnoticed by modern readers. . . . Dauphinais and Levering successfully introduce the reader to the spiritual and biblical dimensions of the Summa, and, as a result, convincingly demonstrate its contemplative character and that of its author.” (Toronto Journal of Theology)

“Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering have written an introduction to the theology of St. Thomas that is genuinely useful. Written in ordinary prose, without the clutter of scholarly apparatus, it is more than a merely pious or catechetical summary.” (First Things)

“A compact summary . . . useful not only to beginners but to scholars already familiar with St. Thomas.” (Nova et Vetera)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0268033021
• ISBN 13: 9780268033026
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160