THE STRUCTURE OF THE SUMMA THEOLOGIAE

 

Thomas Aquinas re-ordered the discussion of theological topics which had been rather haphazard, under an overall scheme of EXITUS-REDITUS, or procession and return.  Thus part I deals with the nature of God and his will in creation as an expression of the procession of his love.  Part II describes how the goal of rational creatures is to return to God, and that this underlies all of the actions encompassed in ethics.  Part III describes the means by which the return to God is accomplished.

 

 

Ia (Prima Pars )

 

Christian Theology   q. 1

 

Existence and Nature of God   qq. 2-11

Knowing and Naming God   qq. 12-13

Knowledge in God   qq. 14-18

God’s Will & Providence qq. 19-26

 

The Trinity       qq. 27-32

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit   qq. 33-43

 

Creation, Variety, and Evil   qq. 44-49

 

Angels     qq. 50-64

 

Cosmogony        qq. 65-74

 

Humanity       qq. 75-83

    Powers of the soul

Intelligence & epistemology      qq. 84-89

 

Image of God       qq. 90-102

 

Divine Government      qq. 103-109

The World Order    qq. 110-119

 

 

I-II (Prima Secundae)

 

[beginning of the Reditus]

 

Purpose and Happiness      qq. 1-5

Psychology of Human Action    qq. 6-17

Principles of Morality   qq. 18-21

 

Emotions   qq.  22-48

Dispositions   qq. 49-54

Virtues in general qq. 55-70

   Gifts of the Spirit

 

Sin qq. 71-89

 

Law qq. 90-105

     Natural, Human, and Divine

 

Grace qq. 106-114

 

II-II (Secunda Secundae)

 

 

This part is the presentation in detail of the virtues, beginning with theological, followed by moral.  Various ethical issues are dealt with under the appropriate virtue and its opposing vices.  For example, “just war” is examined under the category of schism and opposition to charity.

 

Faith      qq. 1-16

Hope     qq. 17-22

Charity   qq. 23-46

 

Prudence   qq. 47-56

Justice    57-79

   Irreligion   qq. 80-100

   Justice in community    qq. 101-122

               

Courage   qq. 123-140

 

Temperance   qq. 141-170

 

Charisms

Contemplation     qq. 171-189

Religious Life       

 

III    (Tertia Pars)

 

Incarnation   qq. 1-6

Grace of Christ   qq. 7-15

Mediator   qq. 16-26

Virgin Mary   qq. 27-30

 

Life of Christ   qq. 31-45

Passion   qq. 46-52

Resurrection   qq. 53-59

 

Sacraments   qq. 60-65

Baptism & Confirmation   qq. 66-72

Eucharistic Presence   qq. 73-78

Communion   qq. 79-83

Penance   qq. 84-90

 

Note: A supplemental section, drawn from previous writings of St. Thomas, was added to deal with marriage and the rest of the sacramental section, plus eschatology.