The Calvinist International
Many of us are predisposed, I think, to think of the nebulous concept “beauty” in appetitive terms. That is, it answers primarily to desire: the responsional relationship is between our longing and some aesthetic object. Indeed, in most (or, rather, nearly all) popular usage, the concept is drastically (and advantageously) underdetermined, such that it becomes merely […]
Some comparisons work in both directions, as: the black box is like the brown box; the brown box is like the black box. Others do not, as: the self-portrait is like the artist; but not, the artist is like the self-portrait. Aquinas explains, in reference to man’s likeness to God in contrast to God’s unlikeness […]
This is Part 2 of Aquinas’ exegesis of the phrase “My kingdom is not of this world” in his sixth lectio on John 18. (Part 1 can be found here.) Text Hic adhibet signa evidentia ad probandum quod regnum eius non est de hoc mundo, et primo ponit signum; secundo concludit intentum, ibi nunc autem regnum […]
Today we turn to Thomas Aquinas’ commentary on John. He discusses John 18:36 in the sixth lectio on ch. 18. His comments are rather lengthy, and so a follow-up post with the rest will be required. Text Hic ponitur responsio Christi, et primo removet suspicionis de regno suo falsitatem; secundo astruit veritatem, ibi dixit itaque ei […]
In the prolegomena (as it were) to the Summa, Aquinas distinguishes between the kinds of authority proper to (1) divine revelation as present in Scripture, (2) reason, and (3) tradition (that is, the kinds of authority proper to (2) the philosophers and (3) the doctores ecclesiae): But sacred doctrine makes use even of human reason, not, indeed, to […]
Carl Trueman writes on the value of the Angelic Doctor for Protestant (and other) Christians today: I have considered Thomas a treasured source ever since. In fact, I believe he is perhaps more important now than ever before, for we live in an age where Christians need to think clearly. Clear thinking depends upon precise […]
Last month, I posted a translation of a medieval Advent hymn, Verbum supernum prodiens. Its first stanza is closely alluded to in the first stanza of a eucharistic hymn of Thomas Aquinas. VERBUM supernum prodiens, Supernal Word proceeding, nec Patris linquens dexteram, yet not leaving the […]
Edward Feser, writing in reply to atheist Keith Parsons, argues succinctly that denying the principle of causality is incoherent. This of course has great relevance for debates over the arguments for the existence of God, and for responses to major objectors like Hume. I would also argue that PSR, rightly understood — that is, in […]
Albert the Great (1193/1206 – 1280) is perhaps best known today as the celebrated forefather and instructor of Thomas Aquinas. His legacy, however, is much larger than that. One of the common Medieval myths surrounding Albert is that he possessed the mythical philosopher’s stone which enabled him to discover the ancient secrets of nature. In […]
The recent natural law confabulation has been a lot of fun and very refreshing. There’s so much to be gained from the recovery of natural law, but we need to point out one other very important concept: the jus gentium. This concept, perhaps better known as the “common law of nations,” was important to both […]