Special gratitude is expressed to Joseph Kenny who in this work, written in Ibadan, Nigeria, continues the traditions of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and of Thomas Aquinas to explore the meaning of human life in God. Kenny brings this venerable tradition of scholarship to the new task of dialogue between cultures and civilizations, joining to professional competency and deep philosophical insight the new attitudes of mutual respect and cooperation on a shared pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain.

Appreciation is extended as well to Gerald Stanley who explored deeply the effort of Thomas Aqunias to relate most deeply faith and reason in the one human project.

Finally, special thanks are due as well to Hu Yeping for her work in preparing this manuscript.