Overview

Thomas Aquinas's classic Treatise on the One God is one of the greatest works ever written in the history of philosophy and theology. During the first half of the twentieth century, philosophy of religion was widely viewed as dead, not even a domain of serious questions but only of 'pseudo-questions.' Surprisingly, not only did the supposed corpse rise from the dead, but religion once again became one of the most active fields of philosophical investigation. The time could not be more fitting for a reinvestigation of Treatise on the One God, which opens the massive Summa theologiae. In this unparalleled exploration of the Treatise's penetrating arguments J. Budziszewski explores and illuminates the text with a luminous line-by-line commentary. Supplemented with thematic discussions, this book discusses not only the Treatise itself, but also its immediate relevance to contemporary thought and issues of the modern world. This work fittingly closes the author's series of commentaries on the Summa Theologiae.

Full Product Details

Author:   J. Budziszewski (University of Texas, Austin)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press
ISBN:  

9781009536240

ISBN 10:   1009536249
Pages:   500
Publication Date:   21 November 2024
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available, will be POD  
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon it's release. This is a print on demand item which is still yet to be released.

Table of Contents

Commentator's Introduction; Question 1, Article 1: Is it reasonable to think that the reach of our reasoning needs to be extended by divine Revelation?; Question 2, Article 3: Does God exist – is He real?; Question 3, Article 7: Is God completely simple, rather than in some way composite?; Question 4, Article 1: Is God “perfect” or complete?; Question 6, Article 2: Is God the summit or apex of good?; Question 49, Article 2: Granted that God is the supreme good, is He also the cause of evil?; Question 7, Article 1: Is God infinite?; Question 8, Article 1: Is God in all things?; Question 9, Article 1: Is God exempt from every sort of change?; Question 10, Article 2: Is God eternal?; Question 11, Article 3: Is God a single Being? Is there just one of Him?; Question 12, Article 13: Can we gain a loftier knowledge of God by divine grace than by our natural powers of reason?; Question 13, Article 12: Granted that we do not perceive the essence of God, still, can we affirm anything positive about Him?; Question 14, Article 1: Does God know anything?; Question 16, Article 5: Is God, in His own being, truth?; Question 18, Article 3: Is it fitting to call God alive?; Question 19, Article 3: Does God have to will what He wills – is He compelled by necessity?; Question 20, Article 2: Does God love all things?; Question 21, Article 4: Is everything God does characterized by both mercy and justice?; Question 22, Article 2: Does God's providence rule everything, not just things in general but also particular things?; Question 25, Article 3: Is God all-powerful, or omnipotent?; Question 26, Article 3: Is God the beatitude of the beatified, the very blessedness of the blessed ones in heaven?; Commentator's Conclusion: Preamble to What?

Reviews

'If there existed commentaries on all of Aquinas's works that were as intelligent, as clear, as satisfying, and as user-friendly as this one, they would totally 'corner the market' and spark a massive Thomistic revival.  Budziszewski has succeeded in carving out a distinctive niche that is neither 'popular' in the sense of patronizing nor 'scholarly' in the sense of onerous. Like Aquinas himself, he has the rare ability to unite profundity with clarity.' Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College 'This book goes right to the top of my list of reliable, thoughtful, and user-friendly introductions to Aquinas.' Michael Pakaluk, Professor of Ethics and Social Philosophy, The Catholic University of America Ordinarius, Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas 'J. Budziszewski has won a permanent place among Thomist expositors. Now, his commentary on what Aquinas teaches about the One God has become available. As its name indicates, theology first of all instructs about God. The author possesses a talent for making thirteenth-century texts sound as if they were written yesterday. Scholars will benefit from Budziszewski's presentation of the material, as well as students - especially beginners, for whom Aquinas in fact wrote his Summa.' Romanus Cessario, O. P., Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University 'A friend recently asked me whether he should read Aquinas's Summa on his own.  Given how hard reading Aquinas can be on first dipping into it, I advised him against it.  But dumbed-down versions of the Summa are no use either, since they remove the rich layers of sources and the real power of Aquinas's responses.  Thankfully, Professor Budziszewski's book has resolved the dilemma, and I will be giving this book to my friend.  This profound and readable study makes crystal clear why Aquinas's thought is so relevant and necessary today, for seekers and educated believers as well as for professional philosophers and theologians.' Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary 'Budziszewski's Commentary on Thomas Aquinas's Treatise on the One God provides an in-depth, detailed, accessible, and comprehensive commentary on the Summa theologiae's early questions about the Transcendent. I've been teaching about Thomas's views of God for decades, and this commentary is - by far - the best single resource I've found on the topic.  Students approaching a Thomistic understanding of God for the first time, as well as experienced instructors, will find invaluable aids to deeper understanding. Budziszewski provides an antidote to the allegation that Thomas is dry and dusty by his witty and winning exposition. In the dialogue of faith and reason, Thomas is a pivotal player. In understanding Thomas, J. Budziszewski is one of our very best guides.  This commentary can be read with great profit by sharp undergraduates, graduate students, as well as by professors of philosophy, religious studies, and intellectual history.' Christopher Kaczor, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Loyola Marymount University, and author of Thomas Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues and Thomas Aquinas on Faith, Hope, and Love 'This is a remarkable commentary, not only because it is accessible to the non-expert and illuminating to the seasoned scholar, but also because it presents with great clarity the doctrine of the one God in a way that demonstrates the strength of the classical view while revealing the poverty of so many contemporary attempts by both theists and non-theists to domesticate the doctrine so that it can be understood within the limiting categories of modern thought. What we also see in this commentary is the true greatness of the mind of St. Thomas Aquinas: his unmatched ability to navigate with philosophical rigor and deep piety the truths of reason and faith, nature and grace, creature and creator, and composition and simplicity.' Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy, Baylor University

'A friend recently asked me whether he should read Aquinas's Summa on his own. Given how hard reading Aquinas can be on first dipping into it, I advised him against it. But dumbed-down versions of the Summa are no use either, since they remove the rich layers of sources and the real power of Aquinas's responses. Thankfully, Professor Budziszewski's book has resolved the dilemma, and I will be giving this book to my friend. This profound and readable study makes crystal clear why Aquinas's thought is so relevant and necessary today, for seekers and educated believers as well as for professional philosophers and theologians.' Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary 'Budziszewski's Commentary on Thomas Aquinas's Treatise on the One God provides an in-depth, detailed, accessible, and comprehensive commentary on the Summa theologiae's early questions about the Transcendent. I've been teaching about Thomas's views of God for decades, and this commentary is - by far - the best single resource I've found on the topic. Students approaching a Thomistic understanding of God for the first time, as well as experienced instructors, will find invaluable aids to deeper understanding. Budziszewski provides an antidote to the allegation that Thomas is dry and dusty by his witty and winning exposition. In the dialogue of faith and reason, Thomas is a pivotal player. In understanding Thomas, J. Budziszewski is one of our very best guides. This commentary can be read with great profit by sharp undergraduates, graduate students, as well as by professors of philosophy, religious studies, and intellectual history.' Christopher Kaczor, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Loyola Marymount University, and author of Thomas Aquinas on the Cardinal Virtues and Thomas Aquinas on Faith, Hope, and Love 'If there existed commentaries on all of Aquinas's works that were as intelligent, as clear, as satisfying, and as user-friendly as this one, they would totally 'corner the market' and spark a massive Thomistic revival. Budziszewski has succeeded in carving out a distinctive niche that is neither 'popular' in the sense of patronizing nor 'scholarly' in the sense of onerous. Like Aquinas himself, he has the rare ability to unite profundity with clarity.' Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College 'J. Budziszewski has won a permanent place among Thomist expositors. Now, his commentary on what Aquinas teaches about the One God has become available. As its name indicates, theology first of all instructs about God. The author possesses a talent for making thirteenth-century texts sound as if they were written yesterday. Scholars will benefit from Budziszewski's presentation of the material, as well as students - especially beginners, for whom Aquinas in fact wrote his Summa.' Romanus Cessario, O. P., Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University 'This book goes right to the top of my list of reliable, thoughtful, and user-friendly introductions to Aquinas.' Michael Pakaluk, Professor of Ethics and Social Philosophy, The Catholic University of America Ordinarius, Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas 'This is a remarkable commentary, not only because it is accessible to the non-expert and illuminating to the seasoned scholar, but also because it presents with great clarity the doctrine of the one God in a way that demonstrates the strength of the classical view while revealing the poverty of so many contemporary attempts by both theists and non-theists to domesticate the doctrine so that it can be understood within the limiting categories of modern thought. What we also see in this commentary is the true greatness of the mind of St. Thomas Aquinas: his unmatched ability to navigate with philosophical rigor and deep piety the truths of reason and faith, nature and grace, creature and creator, and composition and simplicity.' Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy, Baylor University

Author Information

J. Budziszewski is a professor in the Departments of Government and Philosophy at the University of Texas, Austin. Besides Thomas Aquinas, Budziszewski's greatest interest is the natural law, in which he is best known for his work on moral self-deception. He has also written widely on virtue, happiness and ultimate purpose, family and sexuality, religion and public life, toleration and liberty, and the unraveling of our common culture.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions