Changes

[[Image:St-thomas-aquinas.jpg|right|frame]]

[[Image:St-thomas-aquinas.jpg|right|frame]]

'''Thomas Aquinas''', OP (/əˈkwaɪnəs/; 1225 – 7 March 1274), also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Order Dominican] friar and [[priest]] and an immensely influential [[philosopher]] and theologian in the tradition of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholasticism scholasticism], within which he is also known as the "Doctor Angelicus", "Doctor Communis", and "Doctor Universalis". "Aquinas" is from the county of Aquino, an area his family held land in until 1137. He was born in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roccasecca Roccasecca], Italy.

'''Thomas Aquinas''', OP (/əˈkwaɪnəs/; 1225 – 7 March 1274), also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Order Dominican] friar and [[priest]] and an immensely influential [[philosopher]] and theologian in the tradition of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholasticism scholasticism], within which he is also known as the "Doctor Angelicus", "Doctor Communis", and "Doctor Universalis". "Aquinas" is from the county of Aquino, an area his family held land in until 1137. He was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roccasecca Roccasecca], Italy.

He was the foremost classical proponent of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_theology natural theology], and the father of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomism Thomism]. His influence on Western thought is considerable, and much of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_philosophy modern philosophy] was conceived in development or opposition of his ideas, particularly in the areas of [[ethics]], [[natural law]], [[metaphysics]], and political theory. Unlike many currents in the Church of the time, Thomas embraced several ideas put forward by Aristotle — whom he referred to as "the Philosopher" — and attempted to synthethise [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotelianism Aristotelian philosophy] with the principles of [[Christianity]]. The works for which he is best known are the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_Theologica Summa Theologica]'' and the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_contra_Gentiles Summa contra Gentiles]''. His commentaries on Sacred Scripture and on Aristotle are an important part of his body of work. Furthermore, Thomas is distinguished for his eucharistic hymns, which form a part of the Church's liturgy.[8]

He was the foremost classical proponent of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_theology natural theology], and the father of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomism Thomism]. His influence on Western thought is considerable, and much of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_philosophy modern philosophy] was conceived in development or opposition of his ideas, particularly in the areas of [[ethics]], [[natural law]], [[metaphysics]], and political theory. Unlike many currents in the Church of the time, Thomas embraced several ideas put forward by Aristotle — whom he referred to as "the Philosopher" — and attempted to synthethise [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotelianism Aristotelian philosophy] with the principles of [[Christianity]]. The works for which he is best known are the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_Theologica Summa Theologica]'' and the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_contra_Gentiles Summa contra Gentiles]''. His commentaries on Sacred Scripture and on Aristotle are an important part of his body of work. Furthermore, Thomas is distinguished for his eucharistic hymns, which form a part of the Church's liturgy.[8]

Thomas is honored as a [[saint]] by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Catholic Church] and is held to be the model teacher for those studying for the priesthood, and indeed the highest [[expression]] of both natural reason and speculative theology. In modern times, under papal directives, the [[study]] of his works was long used as a core of the required program of study for those seeking [[ordination]] as priests or deacons, as well as for those in religious formation and for other students of the sacred disciplines (Catholic philosophy, theology, history, liturgy, and canon law).

Thomas is honored as a [[saint]] by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Catholic Church] and is held to be the model teacher for those studying for the priesthood, and indeed the highest [[expression]] of both natural reason and speculative theology. In modern times, under papal directives, the [[study]] of his works was long used as a core of the required program of study for those seeking [[ordination]] as priests or deacons, as well as for those in religious formation and for other students of the sacred disciplines (Catholic philosophy, theology, history, liturgy, and canon law).

Also honored as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_the_Church Doctor of the Church], Thomas is considered the Church's greatest theologian and philosopher. Pope Benedict XV declared: "This (Dominican) Order ... acquired new luster when the Church declared the teaching of Thomas to be her own and that Doctor, honored with the special praises of the Pontiffs, the master and patron of Catholic schools."

Also honored as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_the_Church Doctor of the Church], Thomas is considered the Church's greatest theologian and philosopher. Pope Benedict XV declared: "This (Dominican) Order ... acquired new luster when the Church declared the teaching of Thomas to be her own and that Doctor, honored with the special praises of the Pontiffs, the master and patron of Catholic schools."

Thomas viewed [[theology]], or the sacred doctrine, as a [[science]], the raw material [[data]] of which consists of written [[scripture]] and the [[tradition]] of the Catholic Church. These sources of data were produced by the self-[[revelation]] of God to individuals and groups of people throughout history. [[Faith]] and [[reason]], while distinct but related, are the two primary tools for processing the data of theology. Thomas believed both were [[necessary]] — or, rather, that the confluence of both was necessary — for one to obtain true [[knowledge]] of God. Thomas blended Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine by suggesting that rational [[thinking]] and the study of [[nature]], like [[revelation]], were valid ways to understand truths pertaining to God. According to Thomas, God reveals himself through nature, so to study nature is to study God. The ultimate goals of theology, in Thomas's mind, are to use reason to grasp the truth about God and to [[experience]] [[salvation]] through that [[truth]].

Thomas viewed [[theology]], or the sacred doctrine, as a [[science]], the raw material [[data]] of which consists of written [[scripture]] and the [[tradition]] of the Catholic Church. These sources of data were produced by the self-[[revelation]] of God to individuals and groups of people throughout history. [[Faith]] and [[reason]], while distinct but related, are the two primary tools for processing the data of theology. Thomas believed both were [[necessary]] — or, rather, that the confluence of both was necessary — for one to obtain true [[knowledge]] of God. Thomas blended Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine by suggesting that rational [[thinking]] and the study of [[nature]], like [[revelation]], were valid ways to understand truths pertaining to God. According to Thomas, God reveals himself through nature, so to study nature is to study God. The ultimate goals of theology, in Thomas's mind, are to use reason to grasp the truth about God and to [[experience]] [[salvation]] through that [[truth]].