https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31703 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:56:03 GMT 2026-04-13T11:56:03Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32183 Title: Freedom and the unconscious in Thomas Aquinas Abstract: If Thomas Aquinas had to be given a religious name, as it is customary among Carmelites, he could have been called Thomas a Creatore. With this proposal in his delighting essay on Aquinas, G.K. Chesterton has underscored a ruling perspective of Thomistic thought. This ruling perspective of the unity of theology of creation and salvation underlies the following affirmation which I understand as an urgent plea for interdisciplinary learning and dialogue to be sought by theologians: "Error circa creaturas redundat infalsam de Deo scientiam, et hominum mentes a Deo abducit in quem fides dirigere nititur" (Summa contra Gentiles 11,3). Sat, 01 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/32183 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31906 Title: God and the Trinity in the Fathers : the first two centuries Abstract: The declaration of one God, the Father and Creator of heaven and earth, formed the background and indisputable premise of the faith to the early Church, a faith inherited from Judaism, a faith which marked the dividing line between the Church and paganism. According to Hermas the first commandment is to believe that God is one and that He created and established all things and brought them out of nothingness (Mand. 1.1). For Clement God is the Father and Creator of the entire cosmos (19,2) and for the writer of the so-called letter of Barnabas and for the Didache (1,2) God is our maker, the Lord Almighty, who governs the whole universe and master of all things. Sat, 01 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31906 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31905 Title: Hebrews 9,2 : some suggestions about text and context Abstract: The Greek text at Heb 9,2 has long been recognized as containing vexing problems. The text discusses the outer "tent" (skene) of the desert tabernacle. This is beyond dispute. The difficulty centres on the word Hagia at the end of the verse. l Normally this is taken as a reference to the outer tent as the "Holies". But a closer examination reveals difficulties.2 Part of the problem involves the text itself. But textual uncertainties are part of a larger challenge constituted by the interpretation of Heb 9,2 in its context. Sat, 01 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31905 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31904 Title: "I would rather not be wearisome to you" Saint Augustine' as preacher Abstract: "What business is it of mine to be wearisome to people; to say to the wicked, 'Don't act wickedly, act like this, stop acting like that'? What business is it of mine to be burdensome to people? I have received instructions how I should live; let me live as I have been told to, as I have been commanded. Let me sign for what I have received; why should I give an account for others? The gospel terrifies me; because nobody could outdo me in enjoying such anxiety-free leisure. There is nothing better, nothing more pleasant to search through the divine treasure chest with nobody making a commotion; it is pleasant, it is good. But to preach, to refute, to rebuke, to build up, to manage for everybody, that is a great burden, a great weight, a great labour. Who would not run away from this labour? But the gospel terrifies me" (s 339,4). Thus Augustine addresses his flock on one of the anniversary days of his bishop's ordination, in which year we do not know. He might have been still young, deploring his lost monastic freedom and peace and not yet having come to terms with the hustle and bustle of the manifold duties of a bishop. If he was already old he was certainly tired of a lifelong battle against the sins and failures of those entrusted to him as a pastor, yearning for repose in order to care only for his own peace of soul. Sat, 01 Jan 2000 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31904 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z