Shield of Thomistic Theology - On the Sacraments, Volume V - Jean Baptiste Gonet

This fourth volume of Gonet’s Shield of Thomistic Theology addresses two central mysteries of Christian doctrine within a rigorous Thomistic framework: grace and the Incarnation. Drawing on the metaphysical and theological principles of Thomas Aquinas, it aims to present a coherent account of how God elevates human nature and enters history in the person of Christ.

The first part examines grace as a supernatural gift that heals and elevates human nature toward its ultimate end. Gonet analyzes its necessity, its effects on the soul, and its relationship to free will, merit, and the sacraments, emphasizing the harmony between divine causality and human cooperation.

The second part treats the Incarnation, exploring how the eternal Word assumed human nature in the person of Jesus Christ. It discusses the union of divine and human natures, the communication of idioms, and the salvific purpose of Christ’s redemptive work, all while preserving the integrity of both natures in one divine person.

Throughout the volume, Gonet maintains a strict scholastic method, defending traditional Thomistic positions with clarity and precision. The work serves as a systematic presentation of how grace perfects nature and how the Incarnation is the historical culmination of divine love and redemption.