Thomas Aquinas (1225-74)

Major work

•          Summa Theologica (systematic presentation of Christian doctrine)

•          Summa contra Gentiles

Importance

•         Most important theologian of the Medieval era

•         Said there were five proofs for God’s existence (including cosmological and teleological arguments)

•        Brought Aristotelian philosophy to Christianity

•        Argued for a close connection between faith and reason; nature reveals much about God’s existence and attributes (matters such as Trinity, though, must be revealed through special revelation)