Wow! That was a clear, unbiased, well-documented article introducing the topic! I have been studying the position for two years now and I learned some useful points. I am surprised that St Thomas could not find evidence in Scripture for the Absolute Primacy. I certainly don’t claim to be holier or more intelligent/ enlightened than he is, but I see VERY strong evidence for it in Scripture (e.g.: Col. 1:15-20, Eph. 1:3-14, 1 Cor. 2:7-12, Rom. 8:28-30, 2 Tm. 1:9-10, 1 Cor. 3:23, Hebrews 10:7, Ps.39, Jn. 8:25, Gen. 1:1 with Jn. 1, Apoc 22:13 and similar passages, and possibly Ecclus. 24:5, Philippians 2:10-11, Gal. 4:4, and Prov. 8:22-9:6).
Let’s keep praying and meditating on this, and let us (on our knees) ask Jesus and Mary for enlightenment. May we always return to the Manger and to the Cross with greater humility, repentance, gratitude, fervor, love, peace, and joy.
You wrote, "That was a clear, unbiased, well-documented article introducing the topic!"
Yes, Fr. Florovsky's article is excellent. Thank you for your Scripture references; they are most welcome.
As for St. Thomas Aquinas, although he held the opposite to be "more probable", he did actually hold that the position of St. Maximus and Bl. John Duns Scotus was not only possible, but "probable". I deal with Aquinas' position and how he shows the possibility that if man had not sinned God could have become flesh just the same (see Cornerstone #3 and Cornerstone #4.
The writings of St. Thomas on this subject are very enlightening: "If man had not sinned would God have become man? and he, quoting St. Augustine finds many motives for the Incarnation which are quite distinct from man's need for Redemption.
God bless...