In his Thomas Aquinas: Theologian of the Christian Life (Great Theologians Series) , Nicholas Healy challenges Jean-Pierre Torrell’s claim that the Summa provides the only possible organization for theology.  He challenges Torrell in the name of Thomas:

“On my view, the ST has a rather different intent.  Thomas’s Christology and doctrine of God are such that they rule out any perennial account of reality other than Scripture.  Thomas’s is an anti-systematic system, so to speak, in that its principles systematically undermine any system that does not push the reader back to Scripture and to the concreteness of a life dedicated to following Christ . . . . It is least of all concerned to construct a perennial metaphysics to counter all other worldviews.  Theology, as Thomas understands and practices it, attempts to clarify what has been revealed of divine wisdom through the incarnate Word and the operation of the Holy Spirit.  Theological inquiry’s main function is to serve the preaching of the Gospel.  And the preaching of the Gospel serves the Christian life, which is distinct from others ways of life, since it is an attempt to follow Jesus Christ obediently.”

To which I can only say: Amen.  Plus, a very Barthian Thomas, that.