Book excerpt: In the Summa theologiae, Aquinas attempts to set forth the whole of Christian theology in summary form. It was written, he says, for "the instruction of beginners," but few Christians today have the time or inclination to reach for the five thick volumes that comprise the standard English-language edition. In Holy Teaching, Frederick Bauerschmidt presents some choice selections from the Summa theologiae, along with commentary that unpacks the selections and places them in context. Holy Teaching is an ideal introduction to the work of Aquinas that will give students, pastors, and interested laypeople a greater appreciation for our common Christian inheritance