Nature and grace in the Summa contra Gentiles

‘Nature’ and ‘grace’ are two key terms both for the structure and for the content of the Summa contra Gentiles. However, the meaning of these two terms was not yet clearly established among Aquinas immediate predecessors. I shall first clarify the historical background of the terms ‘nature’ and ‘grace’, against which Aquinas develops his theology. Next I shall give an interpretation of the organization of the Summa contra Gentiles into two parts, based on a distinction between nature and grace; the first part covers books 1-3 and the second part contains book 4. Then the question will be asked if Aquinas remains true to the partition when he enters into an extensive discussion on grace in book 3. The answer is found in the idea of a natural desire for a supernatural end. Finally, I shall deal with Aquinas’ view on original sin in book 4 and argue that he limits the scope of it and sees only a limited role for healing grace.