10 Facts About Summa Theologica

Summa Theologica is a more-structured and expanded version of Aquinas's earlier Summa Theologica contra Gentiles, though the two were written for different purposes.

The Summa Theologica Theologiae intended to explain the Christian faith to beginning theology students, whereas the Summa Theologica contra Gentiles, to explain the Christian faith and defend it in hostile situations, with arguments adapted to the intended circumstances of its use, each article refuting a certain belief or a specific heresy.

Summa Theologica completed the Prima Pars in its entirety and circulated it in Italy before departing to take up his second regency as professor at the University of Paris .

Not only has the Summa Theologica Theologiae been one of the main intellectual inspirations for Thomistic philosophy, but it had such a great influence on Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, that Dante's epic poem has been called "the Summa Theologica in verse".

Method of exposition undertaken in the articles of the Summa Theologica is derived from Averroes, to whom Aquinas refers respectfully as "the Commentator".

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Summa Theologica makes many references to certain thinkers held in great respect in Aquinas's time.

Summa Theologica worked on it from the time of Clement IV until the end of his life.

The Summa Theologica was translated into: Greek and Armenian; many European languages; and Chinese.

Structure of the Summa Theologica Theologiae is meant to reflect the cyclic nature of the cosmos, in the sense of the emission and return of the Many from and to the One in Platonism, cast in terms of Christian theology: The procession of the material universe from divine essence; the culmination of creation in man; and the motion of man back towards God by way of Christ and the Sacraments.

Summa Theologica is the teacher and example of humanity; his whole life and suffering as well as his work after he is exalted serve this end.