Aquinas's Shorter Summa: Saint Thomas's Own Concise Version of His Summa Theologica

"Aquinas' Shorter Summa" has been previously published as "The Compendium of Theology." You can find a complete, indexed version online, but I much prefer to settle in with a hard copy. The Shorter Summa was authored by St. Thomas Aquinas himself in response to a request that I believe was from his secretary to provide a distillation of the Summa Theologica. St. Thomas died (at age 50) only 10 chapters into Part II, "Hope." Part I, "Faith" is therefore the main theme of this work. There was to be a third part - you guessed correctly, "Charity." The unfinished nature, however, is by no means a reason to pass this by. After finishing it, I understand why it also goes by a third published name, "Light of Faith." Shortly after beginning I was tempted to stop and get some primers on Aristotle, basic philosophy, and theology. Instead, I decided to web search the concepts and terms I didn't understand as I went along, and in short order I felt up to the challenge. I'm glad I persisted because it was a delight to have St. Thomas as my instructor. Each chapter builds on the teachings in previous chapters, so read them slowly. Re-read them, if need be, until the ideas crystallize, especially early on. Don't sell yourself short; it takes a bit of doing, but the reward is enormous. The teaching on the Trinity in chapters 37-50 was one of my favorite parts. Using the "light of reason" - a term itself you will understand better after St. Thomas - you will have new appreciation of why Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Among the great services St. Thomas does in his writing is to show us how Christianity is truly a philosophy of Reason. Modernists, rationalists, and atheists who claim that religion in general and Christianity in particular is not reasonable are in truth the ones at odds with Reason. The Thomistic view is predicated on the fact of existence; it accepts creation, and the fact that there is a real world that we can experience through our senses. It also, of course, explains that there is much more beyond what our senses can experience. The modern academic mind can't seem to get beyond "to be or not to be." Aquinas shouts to us the answer down through the centuries: "To be!" This edition is sprinkled with helpful footnotes to cited bible verses, Church Fathers (St. Augustine prominent among them), and philosophers (Aristotle of course very prominent among these.) Cyril Vollert's translation is in very easy to understand English, and for a paperback, this volume is pretty sturdy. This was a wonderful choice for my first foray into Scholasticism and my first encounter with the Angelic Doctor.

The Summa Theologica is THE complete compendium of Catholic doctrine, accepted by the Universal Church as such. Unfortunately, it is 1,000 pages of densely packed brilliance. Most of us mere mortals would die of exhaustion before finishing it. Fortunately a fellow Dominican had the audacity to ask St. Thomas if he could please write a condensed version of the Summa. St. Thomas complied with this easy to follow and easy to understand masterpiece packed with everything a Catholic needs for the fullness of faith and a great guide for apologists to boot.

St. Thomas Aquinas set out to write his Shorter Summa at the request of his assistant Brother Reginald. It was intended to be a summary of Aquinas' extensive Summa Theologica, yet produced in the language of laymen. It was also, therefore, intended to be a summary of the Faith of Christianity, accessible to all who could read. While it is still, at times, loftier than what many might easily grasp, the Shorter Summa is certainly shorter as well as comprehensible. St. Thomas conveys his plan for this work in his introduction, stating "I shall treat first of faith, then of hope, and lastly of charity. This is the Apostle's arrangement which, for that matter, right reason imposes. Love cannot be rightly ordered unless the proper goal of our hope is established; nor can there be any hope if knowledge of the truth is lacking. Therefore the first thing necessary is faith, by which you may come to a knowledge of the truth. Secondly, hope is necessary, that your intention may be fixed on the right end. Thirdly, love is necessary, that your affections may be perfectly put in order." Unfortunately, Aquinas died prior to completing this work having really only begun the second part of the Shorter Summa, Hope. It would be difficult to call this work incomplete, however, as it is insightful from cover to cover. Indeed, the few chapters that Aquinas managed to complete on his section about hope might be an example of some of the most gracefully contemplative pieces of Christian theology ever written. The fact that this work is unfinished does not detract from it as it is; but only with respect to the idea of what it could have been. The Shorter Summa should be read by all Christians, regardless of denomination. As St. Thomas Aquinas is a scholar of St. Augustine, it might also be helpful to first read Confessions (Penguin Classics) , The City of God , and any other work of Augustine's that is readily available. If you have any inkling to read this work, please do, as you will not be disappointed.

I wanted to know more about Saint Thomas’s writings and this is an easy read. You can jump around the chapters to focus on areas of interest. This edition is a great way to get to know the thoughts and teachings of one of the Doctors of the Catholic Church.

Reading Aquinas is not an easy or even pleasant task. But it's a helpful one. This is his own abbreviation of his Summa, and he did not complete it before his death. But what he did finish will keep you occupied for some time. Invaluable philosophical & scholastic insights, as well as a useful case study in logic and thinking in general. While the specifics of his philosophy and theology might be debated (his overly-heavy reliance on Aristotle, for example), the skill of his thinking and writing certainly can't be. A great way to approach Aquinas without immediately fainting from the immensity of the man's work.

The Summa can be a tedious read . It is great to have this summary . Still tedious in spots but overall very approachable.

For those searching for clear theological guidance on the doctrines of the Catholic church you can do no better than buy this book and delve into its wisdom handed down through the generations

Date of delivery 14 - 20 May 2025. The book was delivered exactly May 14th .precise and punctual and perfectly wrapped. .Excellent! To be recommended! Thank you.

This book is EXCELLENT. It is St. Thomas's own succint summary of his Summa, and includes the most significant and worthwhile passages. It has the double advantage of being a scholarly work, written by the author himself, and thus not at all "dumbed-down", and yet at the same time it is approachable (the obvious choice would be the complete original in Latin, but not everyone has the time for this sort of thing...). A valuable addition to any library.

I like how the book looks, it seemed brand new I am very happy when I received it looking forward to read them all, very excited to know more of my catholic faith and find some answers to my confusions. I use this for my own and will share to my kids. I always heard from many priests' talks and teachings about st. Thomas Aquinas so I decided to read it my own and in few pages I've read I feel content.