Compendium of theology

"Towards the end of his life, St. Thomas Aquinas produced a brief, non-technical work summarizing some of the main points of his massive Summa Theologiae. This 'compendium' was intended as an introductory handbook for students and scholars who might not have access to the larger work. It remains the best concise introduction to Aquinas's thought. Furthermore, it is extremely interesting to scholars because it represents Aquinas's last word on these topics. Aquinas does not break new ground or re-think earlier positions but often states them more directly and with greater precision than can be found elsewhere. There is only one available English translation of the Compendium (published as 'Aquinas's Shorter Summa: Saint Thomas's Own Concise Version of his Summa Theologiae, ' by Sophia Institute Press). It is published by a very small Catholic publishing house, is marketed to the devotional readership, contains no scholarly apparatus. Richard Regan is a highly respected Aquinas translator, who here relies on the definitive Leonine edition of the Latin text. His work will be received as the premier English version of this important text."--Jacket.

Faith -- The unity of the divine essence -- The Trinity of persons -- The effects produced by God. 1. Creation and diversity -- 2. Intellectual substances, understanding and the human soul 3. God's activity in creation -- 4. The purpose of creation -- 5. Good and evil -- 7. Divine providence and governance -- 8. Sin, grace, and the final end of human beings -- 9. The death and resurrection of the body -- 10. The reward and punishment of human beings -- Second treatise : the humanity of Christ. 1. original justice and original sin -- 2. Christ's incarnation -- 3. Christ's birth -- 4. Christ's crucifixion and resurrection -- 5. The last judgment -- Summary -- Hope.