Tag Archives: Thomas Aquinas

Transubstantiation: Where Does the Bread Go?

Posted on 13 April 2024 by Fr Aidan Kimel

On 13 October 1551, the Council of Trent published its Decree on the Holy Eucharist. Chapter IV defines the dogma of transubstantiation: And because that Christ, our Redeemer, declared that which He offered under the species of bread to be … Continue reading →

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Toward Distinguishing the Relationship Between Contemporary Roman Catholic Theology And ‘Universalism’

Posted on 23 January 2024 by Fr Aidan Kimel

by Barry A. David, Ph.D. “The universality of salvation means that it is granted not only to those who explicitly believe in Christ and have entered the Church. Since salvation is offered to all, it must be made concretely available … Continue reading →

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Predestination to Glory, Reprobation to Hell

Posted on 23 October 2023 by Fr Aidan Kimel

As with St Augustine of Hippo, the anti-Pelagian commitment of St Thomas Aquinas comes to decisive expression in his doctrine of predestination.1 Contrary to free will theodicy, which detaches the decisions and actions of human beings from divine causality, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Philosophical Theology, Roberto De La Noval, Universalism and Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Aquinas: Divine Omniscience, Future Contingents, Free Will Theodicy

Posted on 12 October 2023 by Fr Aidan Kimel

In today’s theological world, the free will theodicy of hell reigns supreme. It was formu­lated in response to compelling objections to the retributive model of damnation which had dominated Western Christianity for over a millennia and a half and was … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Philosophical Theology, Roberto De La Noval, Universalism and Eschatology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ainulindalë: Eä!

Posted on 4 March 2023 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Then there was unrest among the Ainur; but Ilúvatar called to them, and said: ‘I know the desire of your minds that what ye have seen should verily be, not only in your thought, but even as ye yourselves are, yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Ainulindale, Inklings & Company, Mythopoeia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Avicenna and Aquinas: Ruminating Divine Freedom and Necessity

Posted on 7 November 2022 by Fr Aidan Kimel

I recently wrote the following letter to Dr Rahim Acar, a Muslim scholar and expert on the philosopher Avicenna. For purposes of publication, I have revised and significantly expanded the letter, adding quotations from his book, as well as specific … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Philosophical Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | 25 Comments

The Absolute Freedom of the Simple Life

Posted on 16 October 2022 by Fr Aidan Kimel

In the preceding article, we were left with questions about divine freedom: specifically, if the act of creation of essential to the divine being, as Hugh McCann claims, how does this not entail the enslavement of Deity to necessity? McCann … Continue reading →

Posted in Hugh McCann, Philosophical Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

St Thomas Aquinas and the Contuition of Divinity

Posted on 26 May 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

I begin with confession: I do not know if the five ways of St Thomas Aquinas succeed as proofs for the existence of God. I lack the competence to offer an opinion. But even philoso­phers who do have the necessary … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Philosophical Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments