Dogmatics, Theology

The Compendium of Theology: Readings in Thomas Aquinas

Taught by Ryan Hurd
Runs 7/3 – 8/26/2023
$225.00 – $399.00
Syllabus

This course is a reflective reading of Thomas’s Compendium theologiae, particularly those chapters handling doctrine of God (cc 1–67). Through careful consideration of the text, students will encounter the very basics and most important elements of doctrine of God, delivered by Thomas in one fell swoop.

Thomas’s production of theological works had various ends; but whether it was his commentary on the Sentences or the two Summae, his overall goal is best expressed as giving milk to beginning students (ST I prologus). This is no more true than in the Compendium or “brief compass” of theology, as Thomas makes clear in his prologue: his goal here is making small the things of God, just as the eternal Word “took our littleness” and compressed all of divinity therein (CT I c 1). In this “brief compass” on doctrine of God, which we will course through in eight weeks together, Thomas delivers us the little version of theology proper, specially crafted for students and suited for teachers thereof.

Deadline to register: Saturday, June 17th

 

 

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

Auditing ($225):

participate in readings and live class sessions, but no graded assignments and no course credit

Full course (Full-Time Discount) ($275):

for-credit courses (at least four per term) toward our Certificate or M.Litt in Classical Protestantism

Full course ($399):

individual classes on a for-credit basis; you can later apply them toward a Certificate or Degree

 

ENROLL NOW

Description

This Theology course will be taught by Ryan Hurd, and will run from July 3rd through August 26th. The syllabus is available here.

This course is a reflective reading of Thomas’s Compendium theologiae, particularly those chapters handling doctrine of God (cc 1–67). Through careful consideration of the text, students will encounter the very basics and most important elements of doctrine of God, delivered by Thomas in one fell swoop.

Thomas’s production of theological works had various ends; but whether it was his commentary on the Sentences or the two Summae, his overall goal is best expressed as giving milk to beginning students (ST I prologus). This is no more true than in the Compendium or “brief compass” of theology, as Thomas makes clear in his prologue: his goal here is making small the things of God, just as the eternal Word “took our littleness” and compressed all of divinity therein (CT I c 1). In this “brief compass” on doctrine of God, which we will course through in eight weeks together, Thomas delivers us the little version of theology proper, specially crafted for students and suited for teachers thereof.

 

Ryan Hurd is a systematic theologian whose area of expertise is doctrine of God, specifically the Trinity. His primary training is in the high medievals and early modern scholastics as well as the 20th century ressourcement movement. He has written a number of articles and regularly does translations of early modern theology sources; but his primary project is writing a systematics of the Trinity. He is currently a doctoral student at Theologische Universiteit Kampen.

Details

Online only, runs 8 weeks, meeting 2 hr./wk. via Zoom. Students will also have the option to participate in class discussion on the Davenant Common Room Discord server. Register to reserve your spot and schedule will be set after a poll of participating students; if the class time does not fit your schedule, you will be eligible for a full refund.

This is a graduate-level course. Although a BA is not a necessary pre-requisite for this course, students should come prepared to do graduate-level work.