Theology

This study presents some conclusions reached in a wider research on the texts of St. Thomas Aquinas and Duns Scotus, in the matter of the distinction between the " poten-tia Dei ordinata " and the " potentia Dei absoluta ". It seeks to highlight the points of contact, sometimes overlooked, between the use of the distinction made by each, without omitting to underline the differences in their views on it. The study has as its point of departure the meaningful change of perspective adopted by Pope Benedict XVI in the 2010 General Audience that he dedicated to Duns Scotus, in respect of the critical reference that he had made in his 2006 Regensburg speech. Sumario: Este estudio presenta algunas conclusiones de una investigación más amplia de los textos de Tomás de Aquino y de Duns Escoto a propósito de la distinción entre " potentia Dei ordinata " y " potentia Dei absoluta ". Se intenta mostrar los puntos de contacto, a veces poco considerados, entre los dos maestros en el uso de la distinción, sin dejar de subrayar las diferencias de posición que se puedan dar. El presente estudio se inspira en el cambio de perspectiva, significativa para nosotros, asumido en el año 2010 por el Papa Benedicto XVI en la audiencia general dedicada al Beato Escoto en relación con la referencia crítica que había hecho en el discurso de Regensburg del año 2006.

This study offers a status quaestionis of the recent debate on the notion of pure nature in English speaking publications. After a brief description of de Lubac’s position and the controversies around Surnaturel, from the years of its publication to the Toulouse Symposium in 2000, we examine then the rebirth of the debate in Feingold’s study, and the numerous reactions to this work. As this study deals specifically with the notion of pure nature, we concentrate our attention on three recent books (Long, Mulcahy, Swafford) on the topic. It seems to us that the present status quaestionis allows for the compatibility between a strong notion of the natural desire to see God and a right understanding of pure nature.