Abstract

Thomas Aquinas thinks that God defies our comprehension, but, as has been discussed earlier in the book, he also holds that we are still able to make true statements about him. So far, the book has only looked at how Aquinas defends this thesis in general terms, but here some particulars are addressed. What Aquinas thinks that we can say of God deal with assertions of two types: those that can be made and defended on rational grounds without recourse to special revelation; and those that derive from revelation. In this chapter, and the three chapters following, the first group of assertions are considered, starting with the assertions ‘God is perfect’ and ‘God is good’. The last part of the chapter discusses the ancient and much discussed problem of God and evil.