MACIEJ ROSZKOWSKI OP, Christ as the “New Adam” (Cf. 1 Cor 15:45). The Exemplarity of Christ’s Human Nature according to St. Thomas Aquinas and M.J. Scheeben

SUMMARY

The idea of Christ as the Second Adam is one of the classic themes in Christian theology. According to it, Christ shapes those who are to be saved in his image and thus becomes the model of renewed humanity. This paper analyses the way in which this classic idea is interpreted by St. Thomas Aquinas and M.J. Scheeben.
As it emerges, both theologians understand this exemplarity of Christ in distinctly different ways. While Thomas regards the sanctifying grace that renews the nature as the basic reality which is exemplarily rendered to the faithful, Scheeben underlines the sacramental character, understanding it as a participation in the hypostatic union. As a consequence, Aquinas is convinced that the faithful conform themselves to Chris in the order of nature, while according to Scheeben this assimilation takes place above all in the order of hypostasis. This difference leads to disparity in regarding the effects of the salvific work: for Scheeben they exceed significantly the gifts given to the first parents, for Aquinas they basically refer to the return to the state of original innocence.
Later on in the paper the author discusses Scheeben’s approach critically, both on theological and philosophical level. Also, the attempt is made to show the way to overcome some problems deriving from Scheeben’s position. To this end the theology of the late Spanish scholastics – especially the thought of Suarez and Vasquez – is invoked.