Aquinas on Prophecy
Author | : Paul M. Rogers |
Publisher | : CUA Press |
Total Pages | : 249 |
Release | : 2023-05-05 |
ISBN-10 | : 9780813236797 |
ISBN-13 | : 0813236797 |
Rating | : 4/5 (97 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Aquinas on Prophecy is the first full-length monograph to underscore the importance of the charism of prophecy within St. Thomas's Summa theologiae as a whole. The book argues that his notion of prophecy significantly informs the Summa's central presentations of sacred doctrine, salvation, and faith. For Aquinas the prophet is someone who receives divinely revealed knowledge meant to edify the Church; prophetic knowledge gives faith both content and certitude which are essential for sacred doctrine's status as knowledge and wisdom. This work examines Thomas's rationale for categorizing prophecy as the Church's foremost charism, which stems from the special role prophets have in divine government in making God's wisdom manifest on earth. The Summa's own ordination to wisdom shares a striking parallel with prophecy; the theologian and prophet are both called to build up the Church by testifying to the truth they know.