Building Systematic Theology (Lesson One, Part Ten)

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[VitamAgere]

Aquinas certainly loves propositions. But it is overstatement to say that he restricts his dialogue "almost entirely to propositions." Each Article of the Summa begins with Objections, yes, but before any philosophical argument takes place, the first reply to any objection is always drawn from holy Scripture. In this way St. Thomas privileges Scriptures while demonstrating the harmony of the testimonies of faith and reason. A formula that is indeed clear from Question One, Article One.

[LGwalt]

Richard has a saying he likes to use in his classes: "You can't say everything if you want to say anything."

While you are correct in Aquinas' use of Scripture, I think you have to take the confines of the television format into account. After all, there will ALWAYS be much more to be said about Systematic Theology. That's not only true about this series, but even in the Seminary classroom. There will ALWAYS be such "overstatements."

[ReformedTheologian]

Aquinas often (not "always") uses Scripture in his "on the contrary" bits. But he picks quotes that state propositional truths. Consider Article 1:

**"All Scripture, inspired of God is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice." Now Scripture, inspired of God, is no part of philosophical science, which has been built up by human reason. Therefore it is useful that besides philosophical science, there should be other knowledge, i.e. inspired of God.**