Fund. Theo. Revelation and Tradition

Fr.Peter Stilwell guided us to have a fundamental understanding of the Revelation of God through Jesus Christ and so called Tradition of the Church. He emphasized on the second Vatican Council document called "Dei Verbum" DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON DIVINE REVELATION, promulgated by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965. He also compared with the document from the first Vatican Council called the Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith promulgated by Pope Pius IX on April 24, 1870.

The history of the first Vatican Council can be summarized as following; First Vatican Council was summoned to the Vatican by Pius IX. It met 8 December, 1869, and lasted till 18 July, 1870, when it was adjourned; it is still (1908) unfinished. There were present 6 archbishop-princes, 49 cardinals, 11 patriarchs, 680 archbishops and bishops, 28 abbots, 29 generals of orders, in all 803. Besides important canons relating to the Faith and the constitution of the Church, the council decreed the infallibility of the pope when speaking ex cathedra, i.e. when as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.

During the class I had one assignment to submit to Fr.Peter which I choose the article from Summa Theologica of St.Thomas Aquinas on Question number 174 brought me to think about the Division of Prophecy, was Moses the greatest prophecy? On the last class I have a written examination. I had to write the commentary on Dei Verbum. I think this module helps me to revise again on the Revelation of God and the Tradition. Actually I've done this course already from Thailand but at the beginning of the semester I did not know about the evaluation document done by Fr.Solis, my provincial, so I have to do this Fundamental Theology on Revelation and Tradition.

Assignment on Summa Theologica Question no. 174 Article 4

The Question number 174, St.Thomas Aquinas bring us to think about the Division of Prophecy. And I choose article 4; Was Moses the greatest prophet?
The pattern for answering these kinds of question, St.Thomas uses in this Summa, is to propose 3 objections and 1 contrary. Apparently 3 objections, in this article submit that Moses was not the greatest of the Prophets. We should gradually consider each objection. Firstly, St.Thomas quoted from a gloss at the beginning of the Psalter saying “David is called the prophet by the way of excellent”. So Moses was not the greatest.
Secondly, St.Thomas presents the miracles which were wrought by other great prophets like Joshua and Isaiah. The wondrous miracles of these two prophets[1] are greater than Moses who divided the Red Sea[2]. St.Thomas also quoted that the miracles were wrought by Elias as it is written "Who can glory like to thee? Who raisedst up a dead man from below."[3] Therefore Moses was not the greatest.
Lastly, St.Thomas quoting from the New Testament, said that "there hath not risen, among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist."[4] It means that Moses was not greater than the others.
Then St.Thomas explained his own answer supporting the idea of God’s revelation through the prophets. By considering the criteria of divisions, we might agree with St.Thomas’ theory that Moses is greater than the others. The criteria of St.Thomas, compound of 1.Intellectual Vision 2.Imaginary Vision and 3.Miracle, might bring us to the deeper understanding of Revelation. Moreover the message through the prophets that God wants to reveal to the humanity, which is more important than the methods.
Before going through his own answer, St.Thomas raised one contrary argument that perhaps Moses was the greatest prophet by quoting from the book of Deuteronomy "There arose no more a prophet in Israel like unto Moses."[5]
In replying to those three objections of St.Thomas, we will find the intellectual consent that this Angelic Doctor explains to us. In The first objection it seems that King David is somehow greater than Moses but St.Thomas leads us to the very important point of God’s revelation through the prophet. Both David and Moses are servant of God and gradually bring us towards the mysterious full revelation in Christ Jesus.
The second objection’s reply, St.Thomas seems to answer that in all the signs done by these prophets, Moses was greater than the others. Nevertheless, reply of the third objection; make us understand that all miracles done by the prophets. They are just ministers of God. They serve as spectators of a fuller revelation.
Then, I come to think about myself after reading this article. What do I gain from these statements? First of all, I have had great chance to revise my understanding about theology of revelation. Basically I might say that reading great works help me deeply understand the mystery of God’s revelation to humanity. The methodological way of proposing ideas in Summa Theologica, St.Thomas leads me to the higher level of searching and quoting, by supporting idea helping another one. In this article by considering about who is the greatest of the Prophet? St.Thomas submitted a wider and deeper perspective idea in the criteria and division of the prophets. Apparently, it is not the division of the prophets that is important but their role as spectators are more important and lead us to the end, which is Christ Himself.
I might have more understanding about the revelation of God but it is all in the head. How can I put it into practice? In contemplation, how can I see God’s revelation in all things? Then I come to realize that just open the eye of your heart and touch the fullness of gratuitous grace of God in every moment.



[1] Joshua 10:12-14, Isaiah 38:8
[2] Exodus 14:21
[3] Sirach 48:4-5
[4] Matthew 11:11
[5] Deuteronomy 34:10