Write an essay on Aquinas’s idea of God.

Thomas Aquinas, a medieval theologian and philosopher, articulated a profound and influential conception of God in his monumental work, "Summa Theologica." Rooted in a synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy, Aquinas's idea of God centers on the concept of the "Unmoved Mover" and the understanding of God as the ultimate source of all existence.

Aquinas argued that God, as the Unmoved Mover, is the prime cause and sustainer of the universe. Drawing from Aristotle's notion of the First Cause, he asserted that God is the eternal, unchanging, and necessary being from whom all contingent and changing entities derive their existence.

Furthermore, Aquinas expounded on the divine attributes, emphasizing God's perfection, simplicity, and omnipotence. He conceived God as the ultimate source of goodness, truth, and beauty, attributing these qualities in their highest form to the divine nature.

Aquinas also explored the nature of God's relationship with creation, positing that God's creative act is an expression of divine love. He argued that the world is a reflection of God's wisdom and benevolence, pointing towards a teleological understanding of the universe as directed towards a purpose.

In summary, Aquinas's idea of God encapsulates a philosophical and theological synthesis, presenting God as the Unmoved Mover, the source of all existence, and the embodiment of perfection, goodness, and love. His theological contributions significantly influenced both Christian theology and Western philosophical thought.