A controversial figure in his own day, St. Thomas Aquinas forged a unique synthesis of faith and reason, of ancient philosophy and sacred scripture, which significantly influenced subsequent Catholic tradition and dogma. Intensely interested in Aristotle as well as Plato, Paul, and Augustine, Aquinas believed that unaided human thought can take us a long way toward wisdom and truth, although it must be supplemented by the central mystery of revelation. His writings contain many classic statements of doctrine about angels, the Incarnation, the Trinity, sacraments, and the soul along with penetrating discussions on choice, creation and conscience, law, logic, and the purpose of life.Arranged chronologically, this volume includes sermons, commentaries, responses to criticism, and important extracts from one of Christianity's supreme masterpieces, the Summa theologica. Ralph McInerny has added an informative Introduction on Aquinas's life and work and the reception of his ideas.