27 June 2019

The Catechism of the Summa - XII. OF THE CREATION OF MATERIAL SUBSTANCES, AND THE WORK OF THE SIX DAYS (A)

XII. OF THE CREATION OF MATERIAL SUBSTANCES, AND THE WORK OF THE SIX DAYS

(A)

After the creation of pure spirits, what is the second category of beings created by God in the universe? 

The second category of beings created by God was bodily substance.

Were all the bodily substances in the world created by God?

Yes (LXV. 5).

Was it then God Himself who created the earth and all that we see in the heavens -- the sun, the moon, the stars -- and did He create the sea and all contained therein? 

Yes, of a truth God created all these things Himself.

When did God create this material world? 

God created this material world and all contained therein at the same time that He created the world of spirits (LXI. 3; LXVI. 4).

Did God create both the world of matter and the world of spirit in an instant?

Yes, God created both in an instant and at the same time (ibid.).

Was the material world in the first instant the same as we see it to-day?

No (LXVI. 1).

In what state then was the material world created by God?

It was created in a state of chaos.

What is meant by saying it was created in a state of chaos?

By this is meant that God first of all created the elements only, from which the world evolved such as we see it to-day (LXVI. 1, 2).

Who was the cause of this evolution of the world from the primary elements, such as we see it to-day? 

God was the cause thereof.

Did God so create the material world that straightway it evolved from the primary elements? 

No, for this evolution lasted through several succeeding stages, each of which was due to His divine intervention.

How many such interventions were there whereby the material world was brought to that state in which we see it to-day?

There were six divine interventions.

What are these six interventions called?

They are called the six days of creation (LXXI V. 1, 2).

(Next  - XII. OF THE CREATION OF MATERIAL SUBSTANCES, AND THE WORK OF THE SIX DAYS (B, et seq.)

Pegues OP, R P Thomas. Catechism of the "Summa Theologica" of Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Use of the Faithful (pp. 57-59). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition.

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