Although there are many who may not know Thomas Aquinas, the works he contributed to the world are so very important. Even though he only lived for fifty years he was still able to produce over sixty works. He is considered one of the greatest theologians and philosophers of Christian and Roman Catholic thought.
             In the days before Thomas Aquinas studies took place exploring questions of philosophy and theology. Universities, mostly existing in Western Europe, were trying to understand and explain God's revealed truth but yet include man's reasoning. This time of great Christian thought was known as "Scholasticism." Scholasticism followers were to consider every side of a question logically and rationally. Thanks to scholastics there have been sophisticated procedures developed to investigate philosophical and theological questions. The Universities, were too many, an unshakable, rational theological construction of a Christian society. Faiths were shaken when ancient Greek writing began to pour into Europe. Aristotle's works were now becoming available on the nature of the universe. This was leading men to doubt revelation and undermining faith. This could be damaging for the Universities hopes of constructing a Christian society. The church had to react to this flow of information so they called upon Thomas Aquinas. Thomas was born of a noble family in Roccasecca, Italy, near Cassino.
             At the tender age of six, he went to study at the abbey of Monte Cassino. Nine years later he entered the University of Naples. At the age of nineteen Aquinas joined the Dominican order in 1244. This distressed his family a great deal. The Dominicans, fearing Aquinas's mother would take him away, sent him to Rome. Thomas's brothers, who were soldiers under Emperor Frederick, intercepted him near the town of Aquapendente and confined him for nearly two years' time. Aquinas's family tried various means to cause him to leave his calling but they f...