Thomas Aquinas never finished Summa Theologica?

[OpenDoor]

I just learned that Summa Theologica written by the Catholic Saint, Thomas Aquinas was never finished. He apparently stopped writting and when asked to get back to work he said, "I cannot, because all that I have written seems like straw to me."

It is said that before he stopped writing Thomas Aquinas had a vision of Christ who aked him what he wanted. To which Thomas Aquinas is said to have replied, "Only you Lord. Only you."

Is anyone else familiar with this?

 

[christseeker45]

Here is what really happened:

In 1272 Thomas took leave from the University of Paris when the Dominicans from his home province called upon him to establish a studium generale wherever he liked and staff it as he pleased. He chose to establish the institution in Naples, and moved there to take his post as regent master. He took his time at Naples to work on the third part of the Summa while giving lectures on various religious topics. On 6 December 1273 Thomas was celebrating the Mass of St. Nicholas when, according to some, he heard Christ speak to him. Christ asked him what he desired, being pleased with his meritorious life. Thomas replied "Only you Lord. Only you." After this exchange something happened, but Thomas never spoke of it or wrote it down. Because of what he saw, he abandoned his routine and refused to dictate to his socius Reginald of Piperno. When Reginald begged him to get back to work, Thomas replied: "Reginald, I cannot, because all that I have written seems like straw to me." (mihi videtur ut palea). What exactly triggered Thomas's change in behavior is believed by Catholics to have been some kind of supernatural experience of God. After taking to his bed, he did recover some strength.

He was not "told" as in forced to get back to work and for the most part the Summa was complete, St. Aquinas was going to work on a third part but never did

 

[Rhamiel]

I just learned that Summa Theologica written by the Catholic Saint, Thomas Aquinas was never finished. He apparently stopped writting and when asked to get back to work he said, "I cannot, because all that I have written seems like straw to me."

It is said that before he stopped writing Thomas Aquinas had a vision of Christ who aked him what he wanted. To which Thomas Aquinas is said to have replied, "Only you Lord. Only you."

Is anyone else familiar with this?

interesting, I had not heard this before

 

[PaladinValer]

I just learned that Summa Theologica written by the Catholic Saint, Thomas Aquinas was never finished. He apparently stopped writting and when asked to get back to work he said, "I cannot, because all that I have written seems like straw to me."

It is said that before he stopped writing Thomas Aquinas had a vision of Christ who aked him what he wanted. To which Thomas Aquinas is said to have replied, "Only you Lord. Only you."

Is anyone else familiar with this?

Source?

 

[OpenDoor]

Source?

You can see that it is mentioned on his wiki page

Final days and "Straw" (1272–1274)
Thomas Aquinas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[OpenDoor]

He was not "told" as in forced to get back to work and for the most part the Summa was complete, St. Aquinas was going to work on a third part but never did

I did say asked.

It was 2/3 complete.

Here is what really happened:

This is like the same thing I posted...

 

[judechild]

Nil nisi te, domine. Nil nisi te.

 

[Daniel25]

Yeah. The summa is an impressive work, but lets be serious; half the points he decided the conclusion before he started argueing and the rest is just handwork; the other half are navel-gazing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Its a good reference for a complete and consistent set of arguements on points of christian esoterica (Will the pains of hell be spiritual or corporeal?); but I'm personally more fond of St. Augustine. Partially because St. Thomas is so obviously a nerd, and partially because St. Augustine is more of a systems builder rather than a particulars tweaker.

Basically the two replay the old drama of plato and aristotle over again, just this time in christian thought.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Yeah. The summa is an impressive work, but lets be serious; half the points he decided the conclusion before he started argueing and the rest is just handwork; the other half are navel-gazing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Its a good reference for a complete and consistent set of arguements on points of christian esoterica (Will the pains of hell be spiritual or corporeal?); but I'm personally more fond of St. Augustine. Partially because St. Thomas is so obviously a nerd, and partially because St. Augustine is more of a systems builder rather than a particulars tweaker.

Basically the two replay the old drama of plato and aristotle over again, just this time in christian thought.

You certainly have a way with words

 

[OpenDoor]

Partially because St. Thomas is so obviously a nerd

 

[Daniel25]

Just because the Saints live holy lives doesn't mean they are devoid of personality. St. Thomas was a nerd, St. Augustine was a momma's boy, St. Joseph of Cupertino was simple, etc.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Just because the Saints live holy lives doesn't mean they are devoid of personality. St. Thomas was a nerd, St. Augustine was a momma's boy, St. Joseph of Cupertino was simple, etc.

Well your certainly not lacking in one brutus