This collection of scholarly essays engages historical, theological, and exegetical dimensions of St. Thomas Aquinas’s Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. These studies belong to an approach that is known as “Biblical Thomism,” which pursues the retrieval of Aquinas’s biblical commentaries as well as his patristic sources as part of a constructive response to the Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on Scripture as being the soul of sacred theology.

Matthew Levering (PhD, Boston College) is the James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary and the author or editor of numerous books treating Aquinas’s theology and biblical exegesis.

Piotr Roszak (PhD, University of Navarra) is an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas and head of the Biblical Thomism Research Laboratory at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland.

Jorgen Vijgen (PhD, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas) is an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas and professor at the major seminary of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

“For much of Christian history the Letter to the Hebrews was among the most deeply mined texts in all of scripture, a central source of doctrine on Christ’s divinity and humanity, his eternal priesthood, his sacrifice and that of his people, the communion of saints, and much else.  Over the last two centuries historical criticism has largely neglected the letter, unable to determine its author and baffled by what it says.  Taking its lead from one of the tradition’s great commentators on Hebrews, this welcome volume points us once again to the riches of this singular text of sacred scripture.”

Bruce D. Marshall
Southern Methodist University

“Like his medieval and scholastic contemporaries, for Thomas Aquinas the biblical text stands at the heart of his theological project. Visible across his theological works, this methodological commitment is displayed with particular clarity in Aquinas’s commentaries on the Sacred Page itself, a practice which he maintained across his career. Written during the period in which Aquinas was composing his Summa theologiae, the Commentary on Hebrews provides important insights into Aquinas’s mature theological perspective. The essays found in this volume cover a range of important topics that include both speculative aspects of Aquinas’s theology and his hermeneutical approach to different genres of biblical literature. Readers of this volume will find a rich and engaging collection of scholarly essays that showcase the biblical dimension of Aquinas’s approach to the science of sacra doctrina.”

Fr. Reginald Lynch, O.P.
Dominican House of Studies

“Reading Hebrews with St. Thomas Aquinas offers both milk and solid food, things for parvuli and things for magistri. There are many models here of a theologically disciplined way into what may be an alien and remote text. The editors are to be congratulated for having conspired to make a greater whole than the sum of the parts they have assembled.”

Guy Mansini, O.S.B.
Ave Maria University

“For many reasons, the Letter to the Hebrews holds a unique place in the New Testament canon, the history of New Testament scholarship, and the development of many Christian doctrines, especially issues surrounding Christ’s priesthood. The scholars who have contributed to this volume are a veritable academy of the very best Catholic theologians and philosophers, and their essays do not disappoint. The most vexing issues in every major branch of theology are treated in this volume with creative and fresh engagement with Aquinas’s noteworthy Commentary on Hebrews. Whether it is perennial questions in Christology, to current questions in exegesis and biblical theology and how these relate to philosophy, to angelology, ecclesiology, and even morality and mercy, these essays show us, by way of Aquinas’s commentary, how we can turn to Hebrews for guidance, insight, and inspiration. This volume represents a massive scholarly accomplishment which will stand indefinitely as a point of reference for scholars, students, and curious minds who are desirous of understanding Thomas as a reader of Scripture, and understanding Scripture with the aid of the Common Doctor.”
Roger W. Nutt
Ave Maria University