Summary For The Selections Thomas
In the reading of Thomas sections, different questions were handled in each section, such as “Whether God reprobates any man?” and “Whether God predestines men?” together with many other parts. In answer to these questions, various arguments based on multiple perspectives are used (Bailey, 2018). At the end of each discussion, he quoted bible scriptures that provide an understanding of the questions.
In the first section, he focused on predestination and answered on three main questions. The first question of his argument touched on the relationship between foreknowledge and predestination. There exists evidence that agrees with the position that prior knowledge of advantages is the cause of predestination. Romans 8: 29 and Romans 9: 19 supports this perspective with the ending verse, which touches on how God potentially grants each believer mercy. The second question outlined is, “Whether the number of the predestined is certain? “To answer this question, various arguments have been presented. The arguments align themselves with the belief that the count of predestined is not in any way connected to specific. The third argument significantly supported the stance of the critical idea; it based the evidence from the scripture of Matthew 7:13,14 which offer to reason that a significant number of men pass through the destruction gate hence leading to falling, but minimal number find the entrance to eternal life (Davies, 2016).
To Contradict this argument, De Corr. Et Grat 13 presents a new argument that a number of predestined is certain and cannot be diminished or increased. The first argument reports that God does not choose predestination. It further compared the goodness of God with a distinctive through individual participation in glory and grace (Bailey, 2018). The scripture of 1Tommothy 2:4 is listed to support the third argument; it, however, supports salvation topic and the desire of God for all to complete the process of salvation.
The second section of the commentary of Thomas argues on grace, its significance, and the need for it in human life. There are two main questions presented in this section and which I deem interesting. The first is on “Whether without the grace of God mankind can wish or do any good?” It is exciting for one to think of such a question and the final position he/she would take. It will look confusing and frustrating for one to know that if someone possesses goodness within his heart and goes ahead to do it without grace, that action is viewed as evil (Davies, 2016). Romans 9:16 contradicts the argument made to critique the grace of God. It states how God is merciful to all who believe in Him. The second question on whether without the beauty of God man can merit the concept neglects eternal life that if a man keeps and abides by the commandment of God, then one can acquire eternal life, Ps 61:12. Romans 6:23 talks of the grace of God, which is everlasting (Bailey, 2018). It states that the grace of God is everlasting, and He offers a wealth of assistance in attaining eternal life through constant help in the process of salvation.
Reference
Davies, B. (2016). Thomas Aquinas’s Summa contra gentiles: a guide and commentary. Oxford University Press.
Bailey, J. O. (2018). The Poetry of Thomas Hardy: A Handbook and Commentary. UNC Press Books.