Article
Is it Better to Die Excommunicated than Act against One's Conscience?
Ephemerides theologicae Lovanienses
(2019)
Abstract
Thomas Aquinas is often presented as a champion of personal conscience over and against Magisterial Church teaching. This is done by reference to an oft-cited, but never explored passage. In this article, I explore his supposed passage on conscience and the Magisterium, and its historical, medieval context. After tracing the ways various contemporary theologians have employed Thomas's passage, I contrast the two contexts and meanings, and conclude that the contemporary use of the passage is unjustified. I close by exploring a mysterious notion of 'the truth of life' that Aquinas mentions and explore its implications.
Keywords
- Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274,
- Catholic church,
- Authority,
- Conscience
Disciplines
Publication Date
2019
DOI
10.2143/ETL.95.4.3286924
Citation Information
Justin M. Anderson. "Is it Better to Die Excommunicated than Act against One's Conscience?" Ephemerides theologicae Lovanienses Vol. 95 Iss. 4 (2019) p. 567 - 593 ISSN: 1783-1423 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/justin-anderson/16/