"The method of St. Thomas remains a source of inspiration today."

"The method of St. Thomas continues to be a source of inspiration today. Beyond linguistic resources, St. Thomas understood that the whole of Scripture only makes sense in the light of Christ". This is what Professor Manuel Angel Martinez Juan, president of the Pontifical School of Theology of San Esteban de Salamanca, said at the University of Navarra, on the occasion of his participation in the academic workshop 'VIII centenary of St. Thomas Aquinas'. In it he spoke about 'Grace in the Commentary of St. Thomas to the Letter to the Romans'.

Professor Martinez highlighted St. Thomas' commentary on the letters of St. Paul, where he emphasizes the grace of Christ as the central axis of revelation. "St. Paul always carried Christ in his heart and in his mouth, tirelessly announcing divine mercy," he affirmed. He also underscored the image used by St. Thomas in comparing the apostle to the dove carrying the olive branch to Noah's ark.

He also explained the structure that Aquinas proposes for the Letter to the Romans, centered on grace and its impact on the moral life. "The whole Pauline doctrine revolves around grace, because in it the union between God and man is revealed," he pointed out. He also highlighted the three characteristics of Thomistic exegesis: the intertextual approach , fidelity to tradition and the search for a truth that illuminates reason and the spiritual life.

A new Spanish translation of St. Thomas' commentaries on the Pauline Epistles is released

In his lecture, Martinez stressed that Christ is the center of the Gospel and the source of grace that transforms the life of the believer. He also explained that grace alone justifies the sinner and makes him a child of God. "No law or human wisdom alone can save," he concluded, highlighting the role of the sacraments and preaching.

Organized by the School of Theology and the Institute programs of study Medieval programs of study the University of Navarra, during the workshop Professor María Jesús Soto read the discussion paper 'Moral beauty and knowledge of the law in St. Thomas Aquinas' by researcher Alice Ramos, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at St. John's University (Queens, NY, USA), who finally could not participate in person.

In addition, prior to the lectures by Professors Manuel Ángel Martínez Juan and Alice Ramos, the recently published book Thomas Aquinas. Commentary on the Pauline Epistles. I Romans and GalatiansI Romans and Galatians, which is a new translation into Spanish of the commentaries of St. Thomas on the Pauline Epistles. The Dean, Gregorio Guitián, as well as the emeritus professors, Elisabeth Reinhardt and Josep-Ignasi Saranyana, intervened.