Thomas Aquinas: medieval philosopher and theologian

1. Thomas Aquinas: medieval philosopher and theologian • Natural law is what is naturally right or wrong. • It isn’t just revealed through religion or scripture. • It is hard-wired into the hearts and minds of all human beings by God. Everyone’s conscience should naturally tell them right from wrong. • Reason helps us discover God’s truth. - Religion should not be irrational. - There is no conflict between reason and true religion

2. Sacraments Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick (Last rites – Extreme Unction) • Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians define 7 sacraments as a visible sign instituted by Christ to give grace, a sign that really effects what it symbolizes. The work ex opereoperato. • Protestant Christians see sacraments more as representational symbols, and the number varies among different denominations (0, 2, 3)

3. Some Christian vocabulary… • Apocrypha: Christian books not considered canonical by certain churches or denominations. • The Vulgate: the Latin version of the Bible. • “Sola scriptura” Martin Luther’s phrase “scripture only”, i.e. the Bible alone is the sole authority on all matters of faith.

4. Christianity’s solution to the human problem • Human life is not divine; it was created by God in His image (imago Dei) but it depends on God. • Reason and grace are the 2 great virtues given to man at creation. • The fall: man lost some of that grace by choosing to sin. All men still are wounded by this tendency to sin (original sin). Man is in a fallen state and needs to be lifted up by God. • St. Augustine on original sin p.221 • Martin Luther on free will • John Calvin on sin p.221 The Kingdom of God

5. New Testament * The Gospels of the 4 evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John * Acts of the Apostles * Epistles (letters) * Revelation