Knowing the Love of Christ: An Introduction to the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas

by Michael Dauphinais, Matthew Levering

Overview

Knowing the Love of Christ provides a thorough introduction to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas in accessible language. As a complement to the many short introductions to St. Thomas’s philosophy, this book fills a gap in the literature on Thomas—a comprehensive introduction to his thought written by theologians. With enthusiasm and insight, Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering make available the vast theology of Thomas Aquinas. Focusing upon the Summa Theologiae, Dauphinais and Levering illumine the profoundly biblical foundations of Thomas’s powerful vision of reality. Drawing upon their own experience, the authors guide readers into grappling with the fresh and penetrating insights of St. Thomas. Students at all stages of theological education will find this book an enriching introduction to the mysteries of the Christian faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780268033019
Publisher:	University of Notre Dame Press
Publication date:	01/15/2022
Edition description:	1
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Matthew Levering is professor of theology at the University of Dayton. He has published numerous books, including Christ’s Fulfillment of Torah and Temple: Salvation According to Thomas Aquinas (2002) and Participatory Biblical Exegesis: A Theology of Biblical Interpretation (2008), both published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

Editorial Reviews

Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering have written an introduction to the theology of St. Thomas that is genuinely useful. Written in ordinary prose, without the clutter of scholarly apparatus, it is more than a merely pious or catechetical summary.” —First Things

“The beginner often finds St. Thomas Aquinas daunting. Dauphinais and Levering have done a masterful job of presenting the major themes of Thomas’ thought in a clear, concise, and yet faithful fashion. Anyone wanting to begin to study Thomas could not find a better starting point than this book. An added blessing is that the book will lead the reader to a deeper love and appreciation of the Christian Gospel. Aquinas himself would heartily approve.” —Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M., Cap., University of Oxford

“...a compact summary.... ...useful not only to beginners but to scholars already familiar with St. Thomas.”—Nova et Vetera

“[R]ecommended for beginners....” —Catholic Library World

“[A] remarkable achievement.... This is an excellent introduction to the major themes in the writings of Thomas Aquinas, but it is more than that. It is an interpretation that helps to bring the contemporary reader back to the deepest spiritual intentions of the Master.” —Interpretation

“… this book offers us an easily accessible and well-crafted treatment of the major topics in theology, worthy of any bedside table. And as an introduction to Aquinas’ theology, the book uncovers, for both expert and novice alike, the biblical roots of his thought, which have often gone unnoticed by modern readers. . . . Dauphinais and Levering successfully introduce the reader to the spiritual and biblical dimensions of the Summa, and, as a result, convincingly demonstrate its contemplative character and that of its author.” —Toronto Journal of Theology

“Dauphinais and Levering capture the teaching of Thomas with thoroughness, lucidity, and completeness. I find this book an extraordinary accomplishment.” —Romanus Cessario, O.P., St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts

“The strength of this book is to give an overview of Aquinas’ theological developments in prose that is accessible to nearly everyone. It is a remarkable piece of work.” —David B. Burrell, C.S.C., University of Notre Dame

“One of St. Thomas’s many prodigies was his ability to speak, at once, as a biblical theologian and a dogmatic theologian. He is the exemplar in both fields. I know of no other introductory text that presents Thomas’s dual genius so richly, so clearly, and in a way that is accessible to ordinary lay Catholics and undergraduates.” —Scott Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville

From the Publisher

“A compact summary . . . useful not only to beginners but to scholars already familiar with St. Thomas.

Nova et Vetera

“Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering have written an introduction to the theology of St. Thomas that is genuinely useful. Written in ordinary prose, without the clutter of scholarly apparatus, it is more than a merely pious or catechetical summary.

First Things

“This book offers us an easily accessible and well-crafted treatment of the major topics in theology, worthy of any bedside table. And as an introduction to Aquinas’ theology, the book uncovers, for both expert and novice alike, the biblical roots of his thought, which have often gone unnoticed by modern readers. . . . Dauphinais and Levering successfully introduce the reader to the spiritual and biblical dimensions of the Summa, and, as a result, convincingly demonstrate its contemplative character and that of its author.

Toronto Journal of Theology

“[A] remarkable achievement.... This is an excellent introduction to the major themes in the writings of Thomas Aquinas, but it is more than that. It is an interpretation that helps to bring the contemporary reader back to the deepest spiritual intentions of the Master.

Interpretation

The beginner often finds St. Thomas Aquinas daunting. Dauphinais and Levering have done a masterful job of presenting the major themes of Thomas’ thought in a clear, concise, and yet faithful fashion. Anyone wanting to begin to study Thomas could not find a better starting point than this book. An added blessing is that the book will lead the reader to a deeper love and appreciation of the Christian Gospel. Aquinas himself would heartily approve.

Thomas G. Weinandy