How Do You Spell SUMMA CONTRA GENTILES?

Pronunciation: [sˈʌmə kˈɒntɹə d͡ʒˈɛnta͡ɪlz] (IPA)

Summa contra gentiles is a Latin phrase meaning "summary against the gentiles". It is a title for a book by medieval theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas. The spelling of this phrase is pronounced /ˈsʌmə ˈkɒntrə ˈdʒɛntaɪliːz/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The pronunciation can be broken down into three parts: "summa" /ˈsʌmə/, "contra" /ˈkɒntrə/, and "gentiles" /ˈdʒɛntaɪliːz/. The double "m" in "summa" signifies the emphasis on the first syllable.

SUMMA CONTRA GENTILES Meaning and Definition

  1. Summa contra gentiles is a Latin phrase that translates to "Summary against the Gentiles" in English. It refers to a theological work written by the medieval philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas.

    The Summa contra gentiles is a comprehensive philosophical and theological treatise that aims to defend and explain various aspects of Christian doctrine, particularly to non-Christians. It serves as a systematic summary of Aquinas' arguments against non-believers, specifically those from different religious or philosophical backgrounds.

    In this work, Aquinas covers a wide range of topics, including the existence of God, the nature of God, the creation of the world, the immortality of the soul, and the doctrines of the Trinity and Incarnation. He presents logical arguments and rational explanations to counter the potential objections and doubts raised by non-Christians.

    Thomas Aquinas addresses the Summa contra gentiles to the "Gentiles," a term he employs to refer to non-Christians or individuals from diverse faiths. By providing a well-structured and coherent presentation of Christian beliefs, Aquinas aims to engage in dialogue with those who do not adhere to Christianity, offering them a rational and philosophical basis for understanding and embracing Christian teachings.

    Overall, the Summa contra gentiles is a significant work in Christian apologetics, providing arguments and explanations that seek to bridge the gap between Christian doctrine and non-Christian perspectives through logical reasoning and comprehensive theological analysis.