Following a scholarly account of Thomas Aquinas's life, Davies explores his purposes in writing the Summa Theologiae and works systematically through each of its three Parts. He also relates their contents and Aquinas's teachings to those of other works and other thinkers both theological and philosophical. The concluding chapter considers the impact Aquinas's best-known work has exerted since its first appearance, and why it is still studied today. Intended for students and general readers interested in medieval philosophy and theology, Davies's study is a solid and reflective introduction both to the Summa Theologiae and to Aquinas in general.

Preface1. Setting the Summa Theologiae2. Sacred Teaching (1a,1)3. Knowing That God Exists (1a,1,2)4. The Divine Nature: Part 1 (1a,3-13)5. The Divine Nature: Part 2 (1a,14-26)6. The Divine Trinity (1a,27-43)7. Creation, Good, and Evil (1a,44-49)8. Angels and the Days of Creation (1a,50-74)9. Human Beings and Divine Government (1a,75-119)10. Happiness, Human Action, and Morality (1a2ae,1-21)11. Emotions (1a2ae,22-48)12. Dispositions, Virtues, Gifts, Beatitudes and Fruits (1a2ae,49-70)13. Sin (1a2ae,71-85)14. Law, Old Law, New Law, and Grace (1a2ae,90-114)15. Faith, Hope, and Charity (2a2ae,1-46)16. Prudence, Justice, and Injustice (2a2ae,47-79)17. Religion and Other Matters to do With Justice (2a2ae,80-122)18. Courage and Temperance (2a2ae,123-170)19. Freely Given Graces, Kinds of Life, and States of Life (2a2ae,171-189)20. God Incarnate (3a,1-26)21. The Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ (3a,27-59)22. The Sacraments of the Christian Church (3a,60-90)23. EpilogueAppendix: The Summa Theologiae at a GlanceBibliographyIndex