The Georgetown Companion to Interreligious Studies. Edited by LucindaMosher. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2022. Pp. xx, 544. $99.95.
Year: 2024
Type: book-review
Abstract: Thomas, himself, of course, experienced such an encounter with the Lord-an encounter that gave rise to an 'experiential' knowledge.In contrast to a merely 'speculative' knowledge of the intellect, such experiential knowledge goes beyond multiple external characteristics to apprehend the true character of the beloved.Such knowledge, imbued with affectivity, is a deeply personal knowledge by 'connaturality'.In Newman's terms it is not only 'notional', but 'real'.Hence, Levering's welcome contribution, that integrates the metaphysical analyses of the Summa with the figurative considerations of the biblical commentaries, could well be supplemented and enriched by drawing upon Thomas's poetry and prayer.Here the splendid book of Paul Murray, OP, Aquinas at Prayer: The Bible, Mysticism, and Poetry, offers an important further dimension and resources.For, in addition to the systematic exposition of the Summa and the scriptural exegesis of the biblical commentaries, there exists the treasure trove of Thomas's prayers and poems that have still not been sufficiently explored.To draw upon an insight of Murray, these 'bear witness, and with telling force and beauty, to both the apostolic and contemplative energy and passion of St. Thomas'.As Thomas himself avows, citing and extending Paul: 'I long for you to be in the very heart of Christ Jesus … in order that you may love him intimately, and that you may be loved by him; for human life consists in this' (Commentary on Philippians).To be loved and to love is the very heart of friendship.And the contemplative experience of God's love in Christ is the wellspring from which Thomas's theological-pastoral labours flow: his passion to contemplata aliis tradere.
Source: The Heythrop Journal
DOI: 10.1111/heyj.14391
Author: Peter Admirand
Institution: Dublin City University
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405833121