Drawing from the Christian theological tradition, particularly Thomas Aquinas, this paper argues that God fulfills human teleology as a truly common good rather than as a merely individual good. While not focused on political theology, this account builds on contemporary discussions of the common good in both political theology and Thomistic thought (e.g., Hauerwas, Hittinger, O’Donovan) and responds to recent critiques of classical teleology in theological anthropology.
The argument proceeds as follows: Because rational beings are inherently social, their ultimate end must be the good of all collectively rather than a private possession. A good is properly common when it is a single object jointly possessed, not merely an aggregate of individual goods that resemble one another. Although God is the end of all things, only rational creatures seek him precisely because he is universally communicable as the highest good. Union with God fulfills human nature insofar as he is possessed jointly by members of the body of Christ. The good of the whole is possessed by the parts in virtue of their membership in the whole.
Understanding God as the common good provides fresh insights into contemporary ecclesiological and ethical debates. It deepens discussion of key doctrines, such as covenant relationships, the kingdom of God, and the ordinances. Further, it challenges prevailing western individualistic tendencies in theological anthropology by offering a communal framework for understanding salvation as covenantal. This paper addresses potential objections, particularly those concerning soteriology and ecclesiology, clarifying the implications of this account for salvation and the church’s role in the believer’s life.