Theology of Charisms in Saint Thomas Aquinas

The Variety of Charisms listed in Corinthians 12 is characterized by Paul as ""manifestations of the Spirit"" that serve the common good through the building up of the Church. While the modern emergence of Christian charismatic movements has spurred increased interest in the nature and exercise of these charisms, they have long been subject to theological reflection, and in fact received especially sustained and fruitful consideration from Thomas Aquinas.

In A Theology of the Charisms in Saint Thomas Aquinas, Adrian Adiredjo, O.P., explores the Angelic Doctor's teaching on these spiritual gifts, calling attention to his unprecedented insights and their profound integration within his theological project. He first locates this teaching in its historical context, reviewing prior medieval approaches to the charisms and providing a diachronic analysis of developments in Aquinas's own approach. Adiredjo next fills out the theo-logical context of this teaching, establishing how Aquinas situates the nature and function of the charisms within the economy of grace and in connection with Trinitarian theology, Christology, soteriology, and ecclesiology. Building on these historical and theological foundations, the remainder of the study offers a detailed examination of Aquinas’s teaching on particular charisms. Adiredjo focuses especially on prophecy, speech, and miracles, which encompass what is most essential for knowing, communicating, and confirming the truth of the Christian faith. This groundbreaking study throws valuable light on Aquinas's thought, and also shows the applicability of his insights to the needs of the Church today.

Adrian Adiredjo, O.P., completed his doctorate in systematic theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 2022. He teaches systematic theology at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, and he previously served as Rector of Darma Cendika Catholic University in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 2021 to 2025.