The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Was the Old Law Good?
November 12, 1998
Aquinas must have been a gutsy guy.
In discussing the divine law or the "Old Law," as he calls it, Aquinas deigns to ask the question "Whether the Old Law was good?" (ST I-II, Q. 98, Art. 1). He does reaffirm his faith in the Old Law, but the question itself makes you smile.
It seems ludicrous to even question whether the Ten Commandments are good or to question the commandment given by Jesus (Matthew 12: 28-31). But, Aquinas raises the question because he wants to be comprehensive in his discussion of law.
Today, it is easy to find someone who would raise a challenge to any of the commandments, so it is important that we be able to defend them. As with any argument, you must have all the bases covered.
Now, Aquinas defends the Old Law and finds it good by expressing that it is "in accordance with reason. Because it repressed concupiscence which is in conflict with reason, as evidenced by the commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" (Exodus 20:17). Moreover the same law forbade all kinds of sin; and these too are contrary to reason." (ST I-II, Q. 98, Art. 1)
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
