Boyd Taylor Coolman, an associate professor at Boston College and expert in medieval Catholic theology, delves into the thirteenth-century doctrine of capital grace. He highlights theologians like Alexander of Hales and Aquinas, emphasizing Christ's dual nature as head of the Church. Coolman discusses how the Holy Spirit unites believers with Christ, showcasing the role of pneumatic participation in their spiritual journeys. The lecture brings fresh insights into the balance of Christ's majesty and humility, illuminating key theological developments of the era.
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insights INSIGHT
Pneumatic Paradigm of Capital Grace
Capital grace refers to the special grace of Christ as the head of the Church, rooted in pneumatological participation.
Hugh of St. Victor emphasizes the Spirit's role as the fullness in Christ, shared with believers as members.
insights INSIGHT
Spirit Unites Christ's Natures
The Summa Halensis explains the hypostatic union with a pneumatic focus, where the Holy Spirit unites the two natures of Christ.
The Spirit acts as the enduring bond in the incarnate person, making Christ 'full of grace' continuously.
insights INSIGHT
Christ as Head by Influx of Spirit
Christ is the head properly by reason of influx of grace, like senses and movement flow from head to body parts.
The same Holy Spirit vivifies both Christ and believers, enabling partial sharing of Christ's fullness in the members.
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Peter Lombard's "Sentences" (Sententiae in IV libris distinctae) is a highly influential work of medieval theology, serving as a foundational text for theological education in universities for centuries. It systematically presents theological doctrines based on biblical and patristic sources, organizing them into four books covering various aspects of Christian belief. The "Sentences" became a standard text for commentaries and discussions, shaping the development of scholastic theology. Its structure and approach influenced the way theological questions were addressed and debated in the medieval period. The book's enduring impact on theological education and the development of scholastic thought is undeniable.
On the Sacraments
On the Sacraments
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Ambrose
Ambrose's "On the Sacraments" is a classic work of patristic theology that explores the nature and significance of the sacraments within the Christian faith. Ambrose emphasizes the sacramental character of creation, highlighting how God's grace is present and active in the world. He focuses particularly on the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist, explaining their theological meaning and their transformative power. Ambrose's writing is characterized by its eloquence and its profound spiritual insight. His work remains a valuable resource for understanding the early Church's understanding of the sacraments and their role in Christian life.
Summa Theologiae
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St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae is a monumental work of systematic theology, aiming to present a comprehensive overview of Christian doctrine. It's structured around questions and articles, exploring various aspects of faith and reason. The Summa covers topics such as God, creation, the human person, salvation, and the sacraments. It's considered a cornerstone of Catholic theology and has profoundly influenced philosophical and theological discourse for centuries. Its enduring relevance lies in its systematic approach and integration of faith and reason.
Prof. Boyd Taylor Coolman examines the thirteenth-century scholastic doctrine of “capital grace,” showing how Alexander of Hales, Hugh of Saint Victor, and the Summa Halensis developed a pneumatologically-centered account of Christ as the head of the Church, which Aquinas later systematized, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s role in uniting believers to Christ.
This lecture was given on February 23rd, 2024, at Dominican House of Studies.
Boyd Taylor Coolman is an associate professor in the Theology Department in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences at Boston College. An historical theologian of medieval Catholicism, Coolman's research interests lie in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, with a focus on the Victorine and early Franciscan traditions, on the emergence of scholastic theology, and on medieval mystical theologies.
Keywords: Alexander of Hales, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Capital Grace, Christ as Head, Hugh of Saint Victor, Mystical Body of Christ, Pneumatology, Scholastic Theology, Summa Halensis
The Thomistic Institute 