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Summa Theologiae · II-II, q. 10

Question 10. Of Unbelief in General

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Second Part of the Second Part. 12 articles.

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Text: Summa Theologiae, Project Gutenberg #18755, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province. The Second Part of the Second Part of the Summa in the English Dominican translation (first printed 1911 to 1925; second and revised edition from 1920). A sample check on 2026-11-09 against pre-1931 printings at the Internet Archive (first printings of 1915 and 1916 and the second and revised edition of the 1920s) found that the article text matches, with no 1947 introduction, synopsis, or index. Question and article numbers were added by the transcriber. Rights: Public domain (US)

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In due sequence we must consider the contrary vices: first, unbelief, which is contrary to faith; secondly, blasphemy, which is opposed to confession of faith; thirdly, ignorance and dulness of mind, which are contrary to knowledge and understanding.

As to the first, we must consider (1) unbelief in general; (2) heresy; (3) apostasy from the faith.

Under the first head there are twelve points of inquiry:

(1) Whether unbelief is a sin?

(2) What is its subject?

(3) Whether it is the greatest of sins?

(4) Whether every action of unbelievers is a sin?

(5) Of the species of unbelief;

(6) Of their comparison, one with another;

(7) Whether we ought to dispute about faith with unbelievers?

(8) Whether they ought to be compelled to the faith?

(9) Whether we ought to have communications with them?

(10) Whether unbelievers can have authority over Christians?

(11) Whether the rites of unbelievers should be tolerated?

(12) Whether the children of unbelievers are to be baptized against their parents' will?

Articles

  1. Whether Unbelief Is a Sin?
  2. Whether Unbelief Is in the Intellect As Its Subject?
  3. Whether Unbelief Is the Greatest of Sins?
  4. Whether Every Act of an Unbeliever Is a Sin?
  5. Whether There Are Several Species of Unbelief?
  6. Whether the Unbelief of Pagans or Heathens Is Graver Than Other Kinds?
  7. Whether One Ought to Dispute with Unbelievers in Public?
  8. Whether Unbelievers Ought to Be Compelled to the Faith?
  9. Whether It Is Lawful to Communicate with Unbelievers?
  10. Whether Unbelievers May Have Authority or Dominion Over the Faithful?
  11. Whether the Rites of Unbelievers Ought to Be Tolerated?
  12. Whether the Children of Jews and Other Unbelievers Ought to Be Baptized Against Their Parents' Will?

Also online, linked only: the same translation at New Advent and the Latin text at Corpus Thomisticum. Neither is copied here.

Source: Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part. Project Gutenberg #18755. Project Gutenberg record. Public domain in the USA. Outside the U.S., check local copyright rules. Project Gutenberg notices retained. The full Project Gutenberg license is kept in the hosted text.