Part I - Prima Pars

The Nature of God and Creation

This first part of the Summa Theologiae deals with God in Himself and as the principle of creation. St. Thomas Aquinas systematically examines the nature of God, the Trinity, and the work of creation including angels, the material world, and human beings.

Topics Covered

Sacred Doctrine (Questions 1)

• The nature and extent of sacred doctrine
• Whether sacred doctrine is a science
• The relationship between faith and reason

The One God (Questions 2-26)

• The existence of God
• The simplicity of God
• The perfection and goodness of God
• The infinity and immutability of God
• The unity of God
• How God is known by us
• The names of God

The Trinity (Questions 27-43)

• The procession of the divine persons
• The relations in God
• The persons in general
• The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• The comparison of the persons with one another

Creation (Questions 44-102)

• The procession of creatures from God
• The distinction of things in general
• The distinction of good and evil
• The distinction of the spiritual and corporeal creature

The Angels (Questions 50-64)

• The substance of the angels
• The movement of angels
• The knowledge of angels
• The will or appetite of angels
• The creation and perfection of angels
• The malice of angels with regard to sin
• The punishment of demons

The Work of the Six Days (Questions 65-74)

• The work of creation of corporeal creatures
• The work of distinction
• The work of adornment

Man (Questions 75-102)

• The essence of the soul
• The union of body and soul
• The powers of the soul in general
• The intellectual powers
• The appetitive powers
• The locomotive powers
• The first man’s state and condition
• The preservation of the individual
• The preservation of the species
• The government of creatures

Available Questions

Navigation

• ← Back to Summa Index
• Part II-I: Human Acts and Morality →

“The existence of God can be proved in five ways…” - St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I, q. 2, a. 3