Ep. 2 - Dogmatics Vs. Systematics

Quotation (paraphrased from: https://aquinas.cc/la/en/~QIV.Q9.A3)

From St. Thomas Aquinas, Quod. IV.Q9.A3.response to the question:

“Whether a master by determining theological questions ought more to use reason or authority?

A disputation can be ordered to a twofold end.

1. When it is ordered towards removing a doubt, authorities much be used with whom those disputing will accept. For example, if when it is disputed with Jews, it is necessary to introduce authorities of the Old Testament; if with Manichees, who reject the Old Testament, it is necessary to use only the authorities of the New Testament; yet if with schismatics, who accept the Old and the New Testament, yet not the doctrine of our holy ones, just as are the Greeks, it is necessary to dispute with them out of the authorities of the New and the Old Testament and of those doctors whom they accept; yet if they accept no authority, it is necessary to flee unto natural reasons to convince them.

2. A disputation can be ordered towards instructing the hearers in order that they might be led unto the understanding of the truth which they (already) believe. And then it is necessary to lean on reasons investigating the root of the truth and making to know how what is said is true. Otherwise, if with bare authorities a master should determine a question, a certain hearer shall be certified that it is such, but shall acquire nothing of science or understanding but shall depart empty."

Other Notes

Dogmatics: Focuses on determining our will to hold the truth by using various authorities. For example, the authority John the Apostle says that "God is love," therefore we believe the truth that "God is love."

Systematics: Focuses on increasing our understanding of the truths we already hold. For example, giving the formal cause or explanation for the truth that "God is love" (How does "God is love" differ or compare with "God is a rock").