| | He developed five proofs for the existence of [[God]] using logic. The first three were "cosmological" proofs rather than the "ontological" approach of [[St. Anselm]]. A cosmological proof deals with the natural order of the universe. Aquinas' most famous cosmological argument was that whatever is in motion (for example, us) must have been put in motion by something else (our parents). They, in turn, must have been put in motion by something else (their parents). But this sequence cannot go on to infinity. There must have been a first mover. This we call "God". | | He developed five proofs for the existence of [[God]] using logic. The first three were "cosmological" proofs rather than the "ontological" approach of [[St. Anselm]]. A cosmological proof deals with the natural order of the universe. Aquinas' most famous cosmological argument was that whatever is in motion (for example, us) must have been put in motion by something else (our parents). They, in turn, must have been put in motion by something else (their parents). But this sequence cannot go on to infinity. There must have been a first mover. This we call "God". |
| − | Saint Thomas has a different view of the fall than Calvin or Luther. He does not view man as totaly depraved. His will is weakened and His intelect cloaded, nontheless his nature is not totaly corupted, for as created by God it is still basicly good. Nevertheless man cannot atain to salvation on his own but is in need of grace. Though the intelect is cloaded, unasisted human reason can still atain to many of the truths about God. For instance the existance of God can be proved from the nature of the created universe. Nontheless certain things are only knowable through Divine Revelation such as the doctrine of the blessed Trinity. Because of his view of the power of the human mind though harmed by the fall,yet not totaly destroyed the works of the classical, secular philosophers could be brought into the service of Christian theology. Charles Murray wrote, "Aquinas made the case, eventually adopted by the Church, that human intelligence is a gift from God, and that to apply human intelligence to understanding the world is not an affront to God but is pleasing to him." <ref>http://www.amconmag.com/11_17_03/review.html</ref> | + | Saint Thomas had a different view of the fall than [[Calvin]] or [[Luther]]. He did not view man as totally depraved. His will was weakened and his intellect clouded, nontheless his nature is not totaly corrupted, for as created by God it is still basically good. Nevertheless man cannot attain to [[salvation]] on his own but is in need of [[grace]]. Though the intellect is clouded, unassisted human reason can still attain to many of the truths about God. For instance the existance of God can be shown from the nature of the created [[universe]]. Nontheless certain things are only knowable through [[Divine Revelation]] such as the doctrine of the [[Blessed Trinity]]. Because of his view of the power of the human mind though harmed by the fall, yet not totaly destroyed, the works of the classical, secular philosophers could be brought into the service of Christian theology. [[Charles Murray]] wrote, "Aquinas made the case, eventually adopted by the Church, that human intelligence is a gift from God, and that to apply human intelligence to understanding the world is not an affront to God but is pleasing to him." <ref>http://www.amconmag.com/11_17_03/review.html</ref> |