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Grace and Freedom represents Lonergan's entry into subject matter that would occupy him throughout his lifetime. At the same time it is a manifestation of the thinking that has made him one of the world's foremost Thomist scholars.

The volume is in two parts. Part One is a new edition of "Grace and Freedom: Operative Grace in the Thought of St Thomas Aquinas", four articles written by Lonergan in 1941-42, first published in book form in 1971. This edition includes new notes and indices. Part Two is Lonergan's doctoral dissertation, "Gratia Operans", submitted to the Gregorian University, Rome, in 1940. Published here in full for the first time, the dissertation provides important context and background for the articles in the first part. Lonergan's thesis is that, from the sixteenth century onwards, commentators on Thomas Aquinas lacked historical consciousness, raised questions that Thomas had never considered, and obfuscated the issues. Lonergan's achievement consists in having retrieved the actual position of Thomas by adopting a historical approach that has reconstructed his intellectual development on grace. The majority of contemporary theologians now agree with the implementation of the historical method. What Lonergan also adds is a unique diagnosis of the mistakes made by the modern scholastic authors in their treatment of grace. Throughout this work, Lonergan discovers in Thomas a mind in constant development, displaying radical shifts on fundamental questions. Together the two parts not only reveal an essential step in Lonergan's own development, but also make an impressive contribution to Thomist studies.

Bernard Lonergan (1904-1984), a professor of theology, taught at Regis College, Harvard University, andBoston College. An established author known for his Insight and Method in Theology, Lonergan received numerous honorary doctorates, was a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1971 and was named as an original members ofthe International Theological Commission by Pope Paul VI.

Customer Reviews (2)

a key insight
This was Lonergan's doctoral dissertation.It focuses on the relationship between divine activity and human responsibility, between grace and freedom.To what extent are our good works our own, and to extent, or in what way, are they the product of God's grace?This issue is of fundamental importance for Christian theology.A deeply theoretical problem, its practical implications can be seen in the difference between the theological ethics of such thinkers as John Courney Murray and Reinhold Niebuhr.

I have found the first chapter in particular to be helpful.It traces the history of the development of the theoretical category of nature.Nothing in this world is purely natural; all is a mixture of nature, sin, and grace, but having the neutral term of nature allows theologians to avoid extremes that view humanity (including culture) as either absolutely fallen and thus totally helpless, or completely redeemed, and thus able to achieve anything on its own.Lonergan compares this to the theory of gravity:nothing actually falls at 9.8 meters per second squared, but this abstraction makes for some clear thinking about actual, concrete falling bodies, and thus, is indispensably helpful for very practical problems (such as, Is scripture the only source of truth?What is the relationship between church and state?)

The rest of the work focuses on Thomas Aquinas's treatment of the relationship between grace and freedom (our will and choices). It's very complicated, exploring such distinctions as actual and habitual grace, operative and cooperative grace, healing and elevating grace, their interrelations, and their relations with the will, merit, the theological virtues, etc.By a historical treatment of Thomas's thought, Lonergan seeks to present Thomas free from the ahistorical readings of decadent scholastic Thomists.

A great secondary source for this work is Michael Stebbins' "The Divine Initiative."

Worth the read...
Anyone who buys this book knows what they're getting since it's certainly not for a mainstream audience. But as far as an entry point into Lonergan's appreciation of Aquinas the book is a must have. The editors of the collected edition have done an excellent job. Latin quotations from Aquinas have been translated afresh into English in the footnotes and there is a ready guide to Lonergan's latin in the back. An excellent index also helps the student of Lonergan and of course, of Aquinas. The addition of Lonergan's PhD thesis as well as the previously published edition was a masterful stroke since it gives a little more detail on Lonergan's thinking. I for one, found the dissertation far easier to read and comprehend than the previously published work which I had labored over for some time before getting my hands on this copy.

As far as the content of the work, it demonstrates Lonergan's mastery of his subject and the viability of his method - attend to the data before judging people!

The student of Lonergan will already own this. The student of Aquinas should seriously consider picking it up. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A book for anyone searching for truth.
This is one of the most powerful little books ever written!It is a great help to anyone who wants to go further in their spiritual journey.You can take it one page at a time, and meditate; or read it all in about an hour.
This books brevity, utility, versatility, and accuracy make it one of the best aids to those trying to raise themselves closer to God.
If I could only own two books, they would be the Bible, itself, and The Ways of God.

A great way to know how to be God's child in this society
I read this in one hour, avidly, soaking in the words on each page.I recommend it highly to everyone who wants to know how to be like God, to live according to His law, how to behave with each other in loving ways.Its also a description of Who God is, how much He loves His children and what we as His children must be to earn eternal life.I'm actually buying more than one to give as presents to friends, relatives.This book was based on St. Thomas Aquinas' writings, according to the preface.And even though it can be read in one hour, I intend to reread all parts as a kind of blueprint for what parts of my self, my life, need reviewing so that perhaps more understanding of GOd's plan, His Will, is at work in my life. ... Read more

Product Description
This work provides a careful historical analysis of the methods andcontents of the `De Trinitate' of Boethius and the `Expositio' of Aquinas. Itis also the first comprehensive philosophical and theological analysis ofAquinas' `Expositio' to be based on the modern critical edition of the Latintext and in the light of mid- and late-20th-century advances in thomisticscholarship. In this study the author locates the reconstruction of Boethiusundertaken by Aquinas, and radically documents the dialectical themes of`agnosia' and `remotion' in this work. Such documentation aims to provide ahigher level of understanding of the structure of the `cu Expositio' than ispossible with mid-20th-century approaches which have emphasizedparticipationist, analogical and transcendental thematics. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

"Not an interpretation-this is real thing"
For anyone who wants to have the Summa Contra Gentiles in one easy to read volume, or for those who can't afford to buy the books individually, this is for you. This is not an individualistic interpretation by Joseph Rickaby. It is the entire Summa written by Aquinas, with annotations to help the reader follow along with the writings. A pleasant surprise to see this. I was expecting some interjections by the editor with his own views of the writings, but this is not the case. It is purely St. Thomas' thought, again with minor notes to keep the reader on track.
Definately worth the investment. I have consulted it numerous times over the past few weeks.

A master work.
Well, as all Roman Catholics know, Saint Thomas Aquinas is the greatest theologian of all the times. He wrote several books, and among them it is, of course, his masterpiece,"The Summa Theologica". But, near the end of his life, he said that everything he wrote was nothing, of no value. He was speaking about the wonderfull revelacions that God gave him and that he felt he couldn't reveal.
This book, "Summa contra Gentiles", it's also a masterwork and this translation with its commentaries is just wonderfull. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

New Insights
"Commentary on Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians" is a collection of lectures on Galatians by St. Thomas Aquinas during his tenure as a professor the University of Paris, as recorded by a student. The book consists of six chapters, each with 5-9 lectures.Each lecture begins with a few lines from the Epistle.He then mentions a few points about the quoted lines, frequently doing this twice in the lecture.

The subjects of the Epistle include the questions of the relative importance of faith and works and the question of the role of the Jewish Law in Salvation after the Resurrection of Christ.I found that St. Thomas' explanations opened my mind to some meanings within the Epistle that I had not previously seen.For these insights alone this book is very worthwhile. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Volume: 4; Original Publisher: London : Burns; Publication date: 1916; Subjects: Theology, Doctrinal/ Early works to 1800; Theology, Doctrinal; Thomas; Catholic Church - Doctrines - Early works to 1800; Theology, Doctrinal - Early works to 1800; Philosophy / History ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

Product Description
The Summa Theologiae ranks among the greatest documents of the Christian Church, and is a landmark of medieval western thought. It provides the framework for Catholic studies in systematic theology and for a classical Christian philosophy, and is regularly consulted by scholars of all faiths and none, across a range of academic disciplines. This paperback reissue of the classic Latin/English edition first published by the English Dominicans in the 1960s and 1970s, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, has been undertaken in response to regular requests from readers and librarians around the world for the entire series of 61 volumes to be made available again. The original text is unchanged, except for the correction of a small number of typographical errors. ... Read more

Product Description
The Summa Theologiae ranks among the greatest documents of the Christian Church, and is a landmark of medieval western thought. It provides the framework for Catholic studies in systematic theology and for a classical Christian philosophy, and is regularly consulted by scholars of all faiths and none, across a range of academic disciplines. This paperback reissue of the classic Latin/English edition first published by the English Dominicans in the 1960s and 1970s, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, has been undertaken in response to regular requests from readers and librarians around the world for the entire series of 61 volumes to be made available again. The original text is unchanged, except for the correction of a small number of typographical errors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Aquinus Source
I read a lot of this book while researching a paper I was writing.If you are researching the 5 ways, this is a must read.It is well written and understandable, and the points the book makes are clear and precise. ... Read more