Teologia Tomasza z Akwinu. Specyfika głównych zagadnień
Theology of Thomas Aquinas. Characteristics of Main Issues

Summary/Abstract: Thomas begins the lecture of his theology starting from its methodological justification formulated from the perspective of philosophical positions. Further, he justifies the necessity for theology by insufficiency of philosophy itself from the perspective of man because information regarding salvation or personal relations with God cannot be discovered on the path of science. For that reason the Revelation which is a formal object of theology was necessary. Thomas hence carefully distinguishes between theology and philosophy and explains that they do not differ in their material object but in the formal one (aspect). In case of theology its aspect is God’s Revelation. Aquinas is also convinced that theology is of scientific character, has its uniformity and high position within domains of human activities. Characteristic feature of the structure of Thomas’s theology is its anthropological trait, because it is human being that was given the utmost attention in the Summa Theologiae. The intrinsic feature of this theology is the radical Christocentrism. For Aquinas, the Incarnation of Christ is the most significant event in history, it is the centre of history and it is the event that transforms the entire reality. As a result, the spectrum of issues concerning theology is built around the Incarnation of Christ, whereas the main rule of Thomas’ moral theology is love which gives meaning to all other activities and relations. We mean both, love of man toward God and love between human beings. Characteristic trait of the method of Thomas’ approach toward theology is intellectualism. Thomas considered the intellect as the most significant faculty in human being, faculty by which human being is driven. Hence the will, the faculty of decision making should take advantage of the intellect, while feelings and emotions should cooperate with the intellect, and follow the one not proceed. Also, the process of reaching people’s attention, to the Gospel for example, and in general influencing their decisions, should be accomplished through the intellect and rational argumentation, not for example through influencing their emotions.

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