Why Do We Still Need Aquinas?

This paper seeks to demonstrate the enduring importance of the teachings and methodologies of Thomas Aquinas to the theological project. The paper has three parts. The first part emphasises the importance of Aquinas’ clarity in dealing with the question of God, emphasising how God is radically transcendent and yet sovereignly present to, and active in, creation. The second part addresses Thomas Aquinas’ thought on human relatedness to God, especially in the area of prayer. The third part focuses on Aquinas’ account of human flourishing as virtuous living. A no less goal of this paper is to demonstrate that, even if Aquinas had not said anything about a particular issue as perhaps the question we seek to address is of of our time, much is to be gleaned from his precise and clear, analytical and argumentative approach to all questions.