SELECTION FROM THE SUMMA THEOLOGIAE, ON CHARITY Essay

SELECTION FROM THE SUMMA THEOLOGIAE, ON CHARITY - Essay Example The first component of â€Å"charity itself† forms the centre of discussion in this essay. It consists of two perspectives, which include itself and charity considered as itself. This essay narrows this discussion to the aspects of† itself† which consists of eights points of inquiry. They include For the case of charity, being friendship is not true. Charity is not friendship because nothing is so convenient as to reside with one’s friend. This is objection is attributed to the philosophers2. In addition, charity is exercised by man to God but does not exist with men. This implies that charity is not friendship. According to the bible, Christ cements true friendship. This is where the fear of God and the learning of the divine scriptures bring men together. Contrary to this, Jo.xv.15 quotes â€Å"I will not now call you servants...but my friends† according to the philosophers’ argument, this statement was said by reason and not based on charity. This implies that charity is friendship. It is noticeable that not each aspects or character consists of friendship. For instance, the well wishing in itself does not suffice for friendship for certain common love. On the second article â€Å"whether charity is something created in the soul† the objection to this statement is attributed to the aspect of God is charity; God is a spirit (De Trin. Ix.17). This implies that charity is not something that can be created in the soul, but remains God Himself. A further objection is attributed to the fact that God is life of the soul spiritually just as the soul remains life of the body, according to Deut. Xxx.20. However, on the contrary, Augustine argues that, by charity the movement of the soul towards the enjoyment of God for His own sake. This implies that charity is created in the soul. On equal measure the argument goes further to define God’s acts as powerful and perfect. This follows that, charity is created in the soul, because it’s God’s act,