Commentary on Thomas Aquinas's Treatise on Divine Law

‘Having already provided us with a complete commentary on Aquinas' treatise on natural law, J. Budziszewski here adjoins an accessible and nuanced analysis of Aquinas on the Old and New Law. The author directly engages with contemporary questions regarding the reasonableness of biblical revelation, its historical situatedness, the intellectual viability of its claims to uniqueness, and the challenges of its contemporary interpretation. In the spirit of St Thomas this is an impressive work of both reason and faith, philosophy and theology, one that contributes substantively to the Thomistic commentarial tradition. It serves as an important testimony to a culture of universal ethics that simultaneously bears the marks of a Christian conception of love.' Thomas Joseph White, Thomistic Institute

‘J. Budziszewski's Commentary on Thomas Aquinas's Treatise on Divine Law contains the best available commentary and introduction to this section of Summa theologiae. Budziszewski masterfully glosses Aquinas with insights that seasoned scholars will appreciate and a clarity that readers new to Thomas will cherish. If you want to understand what Thomas taught about divine law, you need to read this book.' Christopher Kaczor, Loyola Marymount University

‘J. Budziszewski's Commentary is an impressive achievement! It belongs on the shelf of every serious reader of Aquinas's treatment of law, politics, and justice. He has brought back a classic form of Thomistic scholarship – the commentary on Aquinas's Summa Theologiae – but with a thoroughly contemporary twist. He brings alive the issues at stake in Aquinas's texts, with an admirable clarity of exposition. It is both accessible to a newcomer and offers fresh insights to experts.' Dominic Legge, Thomistic Institute and the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception

‘This brilliant commentary will be extraordinarily helpful not only to students, but to scholars – even seasoned readers of Aquinas who imagine that they already know his treatise on divine law. What is especially striking about Budziszewski's achievement is his ability to convey the spiritual serenity and reasonableness that characterize Aquinas's thought. Budziszewski captures these qualities through his own limpid and colloquial explanations, thereby bringing Aquinas's text to life.' Matthew Levering, Mundelein Seminary

‘J. Budziszewski has earned a reputation for scholarly excellence among serious students across several disciplines. His many published works further testify to his craftsmanship. Although he works as a professor of government and philosophy at the University of Texas, Budziszewski also enjoys standing among theologians. Scholars amenable to the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas especially rely on Budziszewski's remarkable capacity to sum up complicated debates and doctrines. The present work fills a pressing need. One does not arrive easily or quickly at what Aquinas, whose name adorns Harvard Law School's walls (along with the great legal minds Harvard esteems), teaches about law. This book contains judiciously selected texts from Aquinas's works along with copious exegetical and explicative notes that open up his mind on divine law. A careful study of this volume will reward all readers, especially those who have been trained to think that laws are commands of human beings – only.' Romanus Cessario, O.P., Ave Maria University

‘J. Budziszewski's commentaries on Thomas Aquinas's Summa are the best I have ever read. Like each of his two earlier commentaries – on the Treatise on Law and on Aquinas' Virtue Ethics – this present volume on the Divine Law is as accessible to the novice as it is rich with insight for the scholar. In the insular worlds of academic philosophy and theology – especially among the disputing factions in the world of professional Thomism – it is rare to find a writer who has the ability to cut through the jargon while not losing an ounce of sophistication. For anyone who wants to explore Aquinas on divine law, I can not think of a better companion with which to take that journey than Budziszewski.' Francis Beckwith, Baylor University

‘J. Budziszewski has a rare talent for producing work that is simultaneously accessible and philosophically substantive, and thereby brings classic works and authors alive for a contemporary audience. Students and professors alike will read this commentary with profit.' Edward Feser, Pasadena City College

'Professor Budziszewski’s commentaries on Aquinas’ treatises are a unique resource. He is a friendly and expert guide to Aquinas’ text, method and world, putting us at our ease in what can seem a strange landscape, and empowering us to explore it further. He makes everything clear by explaining terms, unpacking arguments, and offering analogies. This commentary fills a long-standing gap, since Aquinas’ Treatise on the Divine Law is relatively neglected, yet is essential for understanding his teaching on Natural Law, on legislators’ tasks, and on the Spirit’s role in Christian life. It is an important part of the reception-history of the Bible. A knowledge of Aquinas’ positive attitude towards the Torah can contribute to Jewish Christian dialogue. Budziszewski has done an invaluable service to scholars, students and ‘interested amateurs’ of many backgrounds and many disciplines.' Richard Conrad, University of Oxford