THE PERSON OF CHRIST ACCORDING TO ST. AQUINAS

Introduction: The Christology of St. Thomas Aquinas and its Relevance

This introductory section sets the stage for Gagliardi's systematic exploration of Aquinas's Christology. It emphasizes the enduring significance of Aquinas's thought for understanding the Person of Christ, particularly in contemporary theological discourse. Gagliardi outlines his methodology, which involves a careful exposition of Aquinas's arguments, primarily from the Summa Theologiae (IIIa pars), while also engaging with modern interpretations and challenges. He highlights Aquinas's precision in defining key concepts such as 'person,' 'nature,' and 'hypostatic union,' arguing for their continued necessity in articulating orthodox Christological doctrine against various heresies and misunderstandings. The introduction establishes the book's aim to present a comprehensive and faithful account of Thomistic Christology.

The Mystery of the Incarnation: God Becomes Man

This chapter delves into the foundational mystery of the Incarnation, examining Aquinas's reasons for its fittingness and possibility. Gagliardi explains how Aquinas addresses the question of why God became man, exploring divine wisdom, goodness, and justice as motivations. He discusses the concept of the Incarnation as a work of divine grace, not necessity, and how it perfects creation and redeems humanity. The chapter also touches upon the metaphysical possibility of the union of divine and human natures in one Person, clarifying that this union does not diminish either nature but rather elevates the human. Gagliardi elucidates Aquinas's understanding of the Incarnation as the greatest of God's works, demonstrating God's infinite love and condescension.

The Hypostatic Union: One Person, Two Natures

This central chapter meticulously unpacks the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which is the cornerstone of Aquinas's Christology. Gagliardi explains Aquinas's precise terminology, distinguishing between 'person' (subsistent individual) and 'nature' (essence). He clarifies that in Christ, the divine nature and a complete human nature are united, not confused or mixed, in the single divine Person of the Word. The chapter addresses potential misunderstandings, such as Nestorianism (two persons) and Monophysitism (one nature), by showing how Aquinas safeguards both the integrity of Christ's divinity and humanity. Gagliardi emphasizes that the Person of the Word is the subject of both divine and human operations, providing a robust metaphysical framework for understanding Christ's identity.

The Person of the Word as the Subject of the Incarnation

Building on the previous chapter, Gagliardi focuses specifically on the divine Person of the Word as the ultimate subject of the Incarnation. He elaborates on Aquinas's teaching that the human nature assumed by Christ does not constitute a new human person, but rather is assumed by the pre-existing divine Person of the Son. This chapter explores the implications of this truth, particularly regarding the communicatio idiomatum, where properties of both natures can be predicated of the one Person (e.g., 'God suffered,' 'the man is omnipotent'). Gagliardi clarifies how this doctrine avoids any division in Christ's Person while affirming the distinctness of his natures, ensuring that all actions and attributes, whether divine or human, ultimately belong to the one divine Person.

The Integrity and Perfection of Christ's Human Nature

This chapter examines the completeness and perfections of Christ's assumed human nature according to Aquinas. Gagliardi details how Christ possessed a true human body and a rational soul, with all their essential faculties, including intellect, will, and affections. He addresses questions regarding the integrity of this human nature, such as whether Christ could have sinned (impeccability) or suffered from ignorance or concupiscence. Gagliardi explains Aquinas's view that Christ's human nature, while truly human, was perfected by its union with the divine Person, rendering it free from sin and concupiscence, and endowed with perfect grace and knowledge from the moment of conception. This perfection, however, did not negate its genuine humanity.

Christ's Knowledge: Beatific, Infused, and Acquired

Gagliardi dedicates this chapter to Aquinas's nuanced doctrine of Christ's threefold knowledge. He explains that Christ, as the incarnate Word, possessed: 1) Beatific knowledge, by which his human soul directly saw God's essence from the moment of conception; 2) Infused knowledge, a perfect understanding of all created things, infused by God; and 3) Acquired or experimental knowledge, which he gained through sensory experience and learning, like any other human being. Gagliardi clarifies how these three forms of knowledge coexisted without contradiction, demonstrating the unique perfection of Christ's human intellect. He addresses the theological implications of this doctrine, particularly how Christ's human knowledge was truly perfect yet also genuinely human and developmental in its acquired aspect.

Christ's Grace and Virtues: The Grace of Union and Habitual Grace

This chapter explores the various forms of grace present in Christ's human nature. Gagliardi distinguishes between the 'grace of union' (gratia unionis), which is the hypostatic union itself, making Christ's human nature subsist in the divine Person, and 'habitual grace' (gratia habitualis), which is an inherent quality perfecting his human soul. He explains that Christ possessed habitual grace in its fullest measure, making him the fount of all grace for humanity. The chapter also discusses Christ's virtues, both theological (faith, hope, charity) and moral (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance), explaining how they were present in him in a perfect and exemplary way, not as means to an end but as intrinsic perfections of his human nature.

Christ's Will and Freedom: Two Wills in One Person

Gagliardi examines Aquinas's teaching on Christ's two wills: the divine will, which is identical with the Father's, and a perfect human will. He explains how these two wills, though distinct, always acted in perfect harmony, with the human will always submitting to and conforming with the divine will. This chapter addresses the Monothelite controversy, showing how Aquinas's doctrine safeguards Christ's full humanity, including his human freedom, while affirming his divine sovereignty. Gagliardi clarifies that Christ's human will was truly free, yet impeccably oriented towards the good, incapable of sinning due to its perfect union with the divine Person and its endowment with perfect grace. The chapter highlights the significance of Christ's human will in his redemptive obedience.

Christ's Passions and Suffering: The Mystery of the Cross

This chapter addresses the challenging topic of Christ's human passions and his capacity for suffering. Gagliardi explains that Christ, having a true human nature, experienced genuine human emotions and passions (e.g., joy, sorrow, fear, anger), but always in a perfectly ordered and sinless manner, subject to his rational will. He delves into Aquinas's understanding of Christ's suffering and death on the cross, emphasizing its voluntary nature and its redemptive efficacy. Gagliardi clarifies that while the divine nature is impassible, the human nature of Christ truly suffered, and this suffering, belonging to the one divine Person, possessed infinite value for the atonement of human sins. The chapter underscores the profound theological meaning of Christ's passion and death.

The Adorability of Christ and the Cult of the Sacred Humanity

This concluding chapter explores the implications of the hypostatic union for the worship and adoration of Christ. Gagliardi explains that because Christ's human nature subsists in the divine Person of the Word, his humanity is rightly adored with the same adoration (latria) due to God alone. He clarifies that this adoration is directed not to the human nature per se, but to the one divine Person who subsists in that human nature. The chapter discusses the theological basis for the cult of the Sacred Humanity, including devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Holy Eucharist, as legitimate expressions of worship directed to the incarnate God. Gagliardi synthesizes the book's arguments, emphasizing the coherence and profundity of Aquinas's Christology for understanding and worshipping the Person of Christ.

Opening Context (150 chars):

"The Person of Christ According to St. Aquinas" by Mauro Gagliardi explores Aquinas' theological insights into Christ's dual nature and significance.

Main Content (400 chars):

Gagliardi examines Aquinas' questions on the nature of Christ, focusing on His divine and human aspects. The book dissects key themes such as the Incarnation, the hypostatic union, and the role of Christ in salvation. Each chapter presents Aquinas’ questions, addressing issues like the necessity of the Incarnation and the implications of Christ's two natures. Gagliardi clarifies Aquinas’ arguments, making complex ideas accessible while maintaining theological depth.

Key Elements (250 chars):

Central concepts include the hypostatic union, grace, and redemption. Relationships between Christ and humanity, as well as His divine mission, are pivotal. Gagliardi highlights Aquinas’ method of synthesis, merging faith and reason, and showcases how these doctrines shape C...