Episode 114 – Aquinas on Predestination
In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the topic of predestination in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. We cover:
Principles of Predestination
– God is the cause of every perfection, including the good of order to an end (means and end)
– Providence is God’s plan for the good of order
– Providence presupposes the intention/ will of God
– Everything subject to God’s infallible providence
– The gravity of sin and the necessity of grace
Providence rightly attributed to God
– Argument from universal and infallible providence – order to supernatural end
– Argument from grace and supernatural order
– God reprobates some
Two Objections
23.5 ad3. Seems unjust
23.5 ad3. Why not everyone? Two answers
Humility and dependence on God
Read Summa I, ques. 23 – https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1023.htm