Modus Et Forma: A New Approach to the Exegesis of Saint Thomas Aquinas with an Application to the Lectura Super Epistolam AD Ephesios

By Christopher T. Baglow

Inquiry into the biblical dimensions of the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas is an area of theological scholarship that has seen tremendous development in the past century. The argument of this study is that this development has been limited by an approach that has often isolated Thomas' exegetical principles and even techniques from the in-depth exploration of Thomas' actual exegetical practice. Consequently, much of the unique value of Thomas' biblical commentaries has yet to be appreciated. The relegation of Thomas' biblical commentaries to the status of secondary works useful only as 'doctrinal mines', and without appreciation for their organic unity and depth of theological development, is especially noticeable in regard to Aquinas' commentary on Ephesians.
Part I focuses on Thomas as an exegete and interpreter of Sacred Scripture. Chapter I is a consideration of Thomas' understanding of both the Bible and the art of interpretation in an attempt to discover how Thomas' presuppositions affect his exegesis. In the second chapter criticisms of Thomas as exegete are examined. The arguments developed in these two chapters establish that a consideration of the literary genre that Thomas is commenting on in any given case is crucial to understanding his exegesis. This point forms the cornerstone for the systematic and comprehensive approach to Thomas' exegetical works formulated in the third chapter.
Part II consists of an application of this approach to Thomas' Ephesians Lectura. Chapter IV-VI are an analysis of this commentary from the standpoint of the theme Thomas detects in the Epistle - 'the origination of ecclesial unity'. This analysis offers evidence that an approach to Thomas' biblical commentaries which respects their status as such has much to demonstrate regarding contemporary access to Thomas' thought and the unity of exegesis and theology. The final chapter contains a summary and an exploration of the implications of the Lectura for contemporary scholarship.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 8876531491
• ISBN13: 9788876531491
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Peeters
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.5" x 9.3"