, Research Paper
Saint Thomas Aquinas (c.1225-1274) was an Italian theologian, one of the foremost Christian philosophers of the Middle Ages. His Summa Theologica (c.1266-1273) was a provincial document of scholastic philosophy. Summa Theologica explored all facets of medieval life, philosophy and theology, political theory, and morality1. The medieval church had a particular interest in the sacraments because they manifest salvation to an individual in a tangible form and tied the individual to the church2. Specifically, I am going to address the importance of the sacraments as defined by Aquinas.
According to Aquinas, the number of sacraments should be seven3, since the number of sacraments was not officially acknowledged until the Council of Florence in 1439CE4. The purpose of sacraments is to perfect man according to the law of God and also to remedy against the shortcomings caused by sin, whether original, mortal, or venial sin5. Each of the sacraments corresponds with a particular defect caused by sin6. Baptism confers spiritual life and is intended to remedy against original sin. As a man grows in his spiritual walk with God he needs to be strengthened, whereby, confirmation by the Holy Spirit is given to strengthen man during his walk with God. To maintain a strong relationship with God nourishment is needed, which is Eucharist or communion. The fourth sacrament is penance, which is ordained against mortal sins committed after baptism. Extreme unction or a prayer finally combats venial sin for a critically ill or injured person. The sacrament of order refers to the individuals’ responsibility to community by creating rulers of the church. Finally, holy matrimony or marriage is the sacrament that ties people of a community to one another7.
Aquinas studied heavily the works by Aristotle and believed that man could only be united in religion if common, visible symbols or sacraments were shared. Although the sacraments are external practices, they signify and invoke spirituality in man8. The salvation of man is determinant upon the sacraments: man can only grasp the spiritual world through what he perceives with his senses of the physical world, God is the principle agent of a sacrament’s interior effects9.
Aquinas argues that baptism was instituted after Christ’s Passion, citing Romans 6:3: All we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in His death, etc. Also, the Lord’s words in John 3:5 to Nicodemus: Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Thus, by deductive reasoning, salvation from original sin, attributed to Adam, is achieved through God’s grace in the act of baptism. So the sacrament of baptism is not the water but the simple symbolization of being cleansed of sin10. Finally, those baptized in Christ’s name, Matth. 28:9: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, become conformed through faith and charity puts on Christ through grace, thus, the character of rebirth as Jesus told Nicodemus.
When A man reaches a certain age and is mature and able to perform mature human acts he must be confirmed. In confirmation, man comes of age, comparatively, in the spiritual life11. Through this sacrament Christ sends the Holy Ghost as an advocate for man until Christ returns for the second time. McDermott translates Aquinas as saying, “In baptism a man is enabled to do those things which belong to his own salvation in so far as he lives for himself; in confirmation he receives the power to engage in battle against the enemies of the faith12.” Interpreted more simply, as a person grows ability increases and with it responsibility to witness to others whom are unbelievers.
So far we have the sacramental signs of baptism is spiritual birth and confirmation is spiritual maturity, consequently spiritual food is needed, which is the Eucharist, also called communion. Because men need tangible forms of religion to be more united, Eucharist symbolizes the Lord’s past suffering and gathers man together because the bread symbolizes Christ’s body and the wine commemorates His blood13. The sacrament of Eucharist becomes absolutely sacred because it is representative of Christ’s own body14.
During the sacrament of penitence both the sinner and the priest perform ritual duties15. Penance is necessary for sinners because death results from sin and for salvation to occur sins must be removed. The priest operates as Christ’s vehicle for salvation, symbolically speaking, and completes the sacramental action of penitence and forgiveness16. Without penance a man who sins cannot be delivered by charity, faith, or mercy. Each of the previous attributes requires either grievances or forgiveness; penance is necessary for salvation if sins are committed17.
Extreme unction or anointing the sick, as each sacrament has indicated a more Christ like character, anointing the sick is the next plateau in becoming Christ like18. Anointing the sick is performed when an individual stands at the threshold of eternity to cleanse the remainder of sins that weren’t removed by penance, namely, venial sins19. Extreme unction is a sign of hope and is performed to keep the ill person involved in readings and prayers20. Aquinas dictates that extreme unction should be last among the sacraments because it is performed at the end of a person’s life. Because anointing the sick is usually performed at the end of a person’s life it allows the person to become infinitely close to perfection at death just before meeting Christ21.
For man to share in governing the community the sacrament of holy orders is necessary. A holy orders grant priests the ability to offer sacrifice not only for themselves but also for the entire community22. Order is representative of “marriage” between the church and a priest23; furthermore, holy orders is ordained by God to prevent against divisions in the community24. Basically, holy orders create the ability to name church officials.
Finally, but not least, in no specific order, is marriage or holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacrament because it was instituted for the sake of natural function, reproduction of the human species25. Holy matrimony came to symbolize the relationship between Christ and church; thus, a relationship between husband and wife should be indicative of the relationship between Christ and the church. Furthermore, matrimony was ordained against sexual impurity or concupiscence26. Comparatively, if food is used properly it nourishes the body, in the same way, sex was ordained for marriage and if used properly within marriage is enjoyable, not only for pleasure but for reproduction27.
The sacraments, as described by Aquinas, are ordained in opposition to the capital sins: pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth, each can be further subdivided into mortal sins, which equal willful transgression of God’s law28. Aquinas stressed the necessity of reason in faith in the Roman Catholic Church29. In an effort to not sound redundant, Aquinas essentially devised and described how the sacraments were to work within the adopting Roman Catholic religion. The sacraments became final form in the high Middle Ages30 and became a system to reassure those who believed in the faith, and to establish the church as a quintessential intermediary between God and man31.
The Medieval church was a perpetuator of the feudal system in Europe. By means of sacrament, the church was able to localize people so that they may retain privileges of salvation. Furthermore, by controlling the sacramental action, the church insured its stability in an age of reform and revolution.
Другие работы по теме:
Intellectual history of the Europe
Process of accumulation of profit and abundance during the early Middle Ages. The attitude of the person to conditions of creation and reproduction of the property. Fomy Akvinsky's theory about use of money. Reasonings on Christian morals and profit.
The First Cause Essay Research Paper One
The First Cause Essay, Research Paper One of the most commonly pondered philosophical questions is the mystery of the universe’s origin. For countless centuries mankind has speculated as to how and why the universe as we know it came into existence. Unfortunately, in attempting to answer this question, we simply raise more questions; each as unanswerable as the last.
History Of Sacraments Essay Research Paper In
History Of Sacraments Essay, Research Paper In the early church, before the year 313 A.D., Christianity was illegal. After the year 313, around 380, Constantine legalized Christianity. The first order in which the sacraments were celebrated was Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion. The process of receiving all three sacraments at once was done at the Easter Vigil, and they were performed by the bishops, deacons, and deaconesses.
Aquinas On Kingship Essay Research Paper On
Aquinas, On Kingship Essay, Research Paper On Kingship Chapter 12 In this chapter, Aquinas focused on the duties and responsibilities of a king. He thinks that, nature shows us how to act with reason; and the best way to learn the duties of a king is focusing on the examples of government that can be found in nature.
Critique On Whether God Exists Essay Research
Paper “Whether God Exists” Countless philosophers since the beginning of recorded history have pondered the question of whether God exists. One such philosopher, Saint Thomas Aquinas, put forth his own theory on the existence of God. In his text “Whether God Exists”, he stated that through his five arguments he could prove God’s existence.
Greek Writing Essay Research Paper Western CivilizationProfessor
Greek Writing Essay, Research Paper Western Civilization Professor Babcock Fall 2000 The Magna Carta, St. Francis? Admonitions, and Thomas Aquinas? Summa Theologica are all-important works of the High Middle Ages. These documents explain a great deal to the reader about civilization at that time. This paper will first, demonstrate why the Magna Carta, Thomas Aquinas? Summa Theologica, and St.
Is There A God Essay Research Paper
Does God Exist? God not only exists in the understanding, but in reality as well. God, according to Anselm, is a being “than which nothing greater can be conceived” (Anselm 29). According to this concept God could not simply exist in an understanding because that would leave the possibility of a greater being than God – He who exists in reality as well as understanding.
Proofs For God
’s Existence Essay, Research Paper The first argument introduced by Aquinas states that nothing could move, unless it is being moved by something else, suggesting that there is an original mover. Aquinas asserts that motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality, but nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality except by something in a state of actuality.
Compare Mercantilism With An Embedded Institution Essay
, Research Paper In this essay I will try to answer the proposed essay question: ?Compare and contrast ancient/medieval and mercantilist economic ideas on the market as an embedded institution.? I will begin by discussing ancient/medieval economic ideas and talk a little bit about Thomas Aquinas.
Aquinas Essay Research Paper According to Aquinas
Aquinas Essay, Research Paper According to Aquinas everything is created was created by God. Aquinas made five proofs to proof the God exists and HE created everything. His five proofs are motion, efficient cause, possibility/necessity, gradation, and governance of the world.
Saint Thomas Aquinas Writings Essay Research Paper
In “Summa Contra Gentiles”, by Saint Thomas Aquinas, one of the major proofs of the existence of God is the second proof. The second proof is based on the “everything has a cause” theory. He states that there are ordered lines of efficient causes, and nothing can be it’s own cause. Yet it is impossible for the line of efficient causes to extend into infinity.
St Thomas Aquinas Essay Research Paper What
St. Thomas Aquinas Essay, Research Paper What is the Best Way to Prove God? A Comparison of St. Thomas Aquinas St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the greatest theologians that has ever been. He recognized that there
God Essay Research Paper I think this
God Essay, Research Paper I think this is all valid because Saint Thomas Aquinas is saying that God has to exist sometime in life to make the Earth and nature and so forth. If their were to be a infinity then there would be no first or last causes to have happened. There would be no first or last causes to have happened.
The Eye Of The Dragon Essay Research
Paper Character Sketch In The Eyes of the Dragon, the author Stephen King shows that Thomas is more than just a character to us. Thomas shows his traits as being naivete, jealously, and low self-esteem in
Theology In The Middle Ages Essay Research
Paper Who were some of the outstanding theologians of the High Middle Ages and what were their ideas? Why was theology so important in the Middle Ages? For about the first 1000 years after the death of Christ, paganism, propoganda and superstition were popular beliefs. The thoughts of two theologians of the time period, Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas, would change this belief system forever.
Thomas Aquinas 4 Essay Research Paper The
Thomas Aquinas 4 Essay, Research Paper The tundra comprises of arctic plains encompassing most of the earth s terrain north of the coniferous forest belt. It is dominated by sedge, heath, moss, willow, and lichen. These areas are called the arctic tundra. Similar plains, which are called the alpine tundra, occur above the timberline in the high mountains of the world.
The Problem With Religion And Morals Essay
, Research Paper The Problem with Religion and Morals The likes of many philosophers including St. Anselm, Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine have written that organized religion is the only source of human beings leading a moral life. One of the defenses of organized religion is that it is the basis of society’s morals and therefore it is necessary to prevent social barbarism.
Does God Exist Essay Research Paper Does
Does God Exist? Essay, Research Paper Does God Exist? St. Thomas Aquinas has written several important works. Some of them are: The Disputed Questions on the Power of God, Exposition of Dionysius on the
D O E S G O
D E X I S T Essay, Research Paper D O E S G O D E X I S T ?St. Thomas Aquinas has written several important works. Some of them are: The Disputed Questions on the Power of God, Exposition of Dionysius on theDivine Names and Disputed Questions on Spiritual Creatures. Most ofAquinas’s works have been written to try to prove the existence of God.
Critical Analysis Of The Ethics Of St
. Thomas Essay, Research Paper Critical Analysis on the Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas Metaphysics is the philosophical study whose object is to determine the real nature of things to determine the meaning, structure, and principles of whatever is insofar as it is. Although this study is popularly conceived as referring to anything excessively subtle and highly theoretical and although it has been subjected to many criticisms, it is presented by metaphysicians as the most fundamental and most comprehensive of inquiries, inasmuch as it is concerned with reality as a whole.
Aquinas
’ First Proof Of The Existence Of God Essay, Research Paper I have chosen to write St. Thomas Aquinas proof citing motion as proof of the existence of God. Although I must admit to being a little confused the wording, I see it as being in terms of ability too, act of, and the first to act.
The Summa Teologica By Thomas Aquinas Essay
, Research Paper The Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas Born in Italy, Thomas Aquinas was one of the most educated men of his time. Aquinas, whose family were noble, was educated as a monk and later
Saint Thomas Aquinas Essay Research Paper Saint
Saint Thomas Aquinas Essay, Research Paper Saint Thomas Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas was a philosopher, theologian, Doctor of the Catholic Church, and is the patron saint of Catholic Universities, colleges, and schools. He was born in Rocca Secca, Italy, in 1225 and was born into a wealthy family. He even was related to the kings of Aragon, Castile, and France.
Thomas Aquinas 2 Essay Research Paper THOMAS
Thomas Aquinas 2 Essay, Research Paper THOMAS AQUINAS Saint Thomas Aquinas, as a philosopher, wrote several works that justified Christianity in a philosophical context, taking cue on Aristotle’s old writings. Naturally, Aquinas took up on the Church’s “ultra-conservative” views on sexuality and worked to rationalize them through his own theory of natural law.
St Thomas AquinasProofs Of Gods Existance Essay
, Research Paper St. Thomas Aquinas: Proofs of God?s existence. Aquinas says that God?s essence (feeling) is his existence. That there is no Actual need for proof of his existence. Before he actually developed his
Plato Essay Research Paper There are many
Plato Essay, Research Paper There are many ways in which the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle have reached that of that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, due to the fact that Aristotle thought the world that we live in today is the ultimate reality. While Plato thought the world that we see every day is real but is not the ultimate reality.
Oung Thomas Edison Essay Research Paper Young
Oung Thomas Edison Essay, Research Paper Young Thomas Edison I read the book Young Thomas Edison , by Sterling North. The book tells about Edison’s Young life and how he greatly succeeded through out the years. It tells about his
What Is God Who Is God Essay
, Research Paper What is God? Who is God? Why do some people conclude that a God exists? Saint Thomas Aquinas goes from the fact that there must be a first efficient cause to the conclusion that God is that cause. Why must Aquinas make the extraordinary jump from there being a cause, to assuming that this cause must be God? Would it not be just as plausible to make matter the first cause? Matter is the substance that any physical object is composed of.
Cosmological Argument Essay Research Paper How Well
Cosmological Argument Essay, Research Paper How Well Does the Cosmological Argument Hold Water? The Cosmological Argument is one of the most heavily disputed arguments for God’s existence of our time. The argument in its simplest form is: “Everything has to be caused by or created from something else . . . therefore there must be a first cause, namely God.” The very basis of the argument, everything is caused, is what makes it an argument.
Essay On Mary Thomas Story The Movie
) Essay, Research Paper Essay on Mary Thomas Story Mary and Isaiah Thomas face many problems in their community and they resist the bad influence because they have inner strength.
Theory Of Knowledge Essay Research Paper Joe
Theory Of Knowledge Essay, Research Paper Joe Janszen Philosophy 390 Paper #1 10-1-00 Theory of Knowledge ? First Short Paper The skepticism of the existence of God has been a heavily discussed topic since the existence of man. Many philosophers have had many writings analyzing the facts and possibilities to prove this argument.
LAW Ceciro Plato Aristotle St Thomas Essay
, Research Paper QUESTION: Define the origins of natural law and the contributions of the following theorist. PLATO ? The idea that law should strive to reflect certain universal, absolute, and eternal truths or virtues.
Thomas Edison Essay Research Paper BibliographyThomas A
Thomas Edison Essay, Research Paper Bibliography Thomas A. Edison and his Kinetographic Motion Pictures. Rutgers University Press. 1995. This book gave me a lot of the information I needed on the basic history of Thomas Edison?s work in the motion picture industry. There were also pictures
Natural Law Theory Essay Research Paper Natural
Natural Law Theory Essay, Research Paper Natural Law Theory The natural law theory is a theory that dates back to the time of the Greeks and great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle. Defined as the law which states