In the , Saint Thomas Aquinas dedicates a major section of the First Part ( Prima Pars , Questions 103–119) to the Government of the World . This text explores how God, as the "universal first cause," directs all creation toward its ultimate purpose. Key Concepts of Divine Government
: Miracles are seen as part of divine government rather than just displays of power. They serve as visible "signs" intended to inspire faith in hidden truths. Structure of the Text
: A deep dive into the causality and roles of angels (Q. 106–114).
: A unique aspect of Aquinas's thought is that while God is the primary cause of everything, He governs through secondary causes . He grants creatures (including humans and angels) the dignity of being real causes themselves, allowing them to participate in the governance of the world. Interesting Themes in this Section