Bishop Barron, a prominent Catholic bishop known for his engaging insight into theology, explores the life and writings of Thomas Aquinas. He shares how Aquinas shaped the Church and Western thought. The conversation covers entry-level books to grasp his complex 'Summa Theologiae' and discusses Aquinas's unique disputatio style. Bishop Barron also addresses Bertrand Russell's critique and emphasizes why Aquinas remains a spiritual master worth studying today. It's a deep dive into philosophical engagement with faith.
Thomas Aquinas profoundly influenced both the Catholic Church and Western civilization by integrating biblical thought with Aristotelian philosophy.
Engaging with Aquinas' writings, particularly the 'Summa Theologiae', can be approachable by focusing on responses to objections and recommended secondary literature.
Deep dives
Bishop Barron's Experience with Confirmations
Bishop Barron shares his experience of celebrating confirmations, noting his excitement as he completes the milestone of his sixteenth confirmation with more to follow. The geographical vastness of his region requires extensive driving, contributing to physical fatigue after such lengthy liturgies. Despite the challenge of managing countless photos with the newly confirmed individuals, he finds the experience deeply moving as young candidates present the names of the saints they have chosen. This interaction highlights the significance of these ceremonies in fostering faith and community among the youth.
The Influence of Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas is acknowledged as a pivotal figure whose work has had a lasting impact on both the Catholic Church and Western civilization as a whole. His encounter with Aristotle's philosophy marked a transformative moment for Bishop Barron, igniting a lifelong fascination with theology and the complexities of existence. Aquinas' blend of biblical thought with Aristotelian philosophy created a new framework that enriched the Church’s understanding of its doctrines and cultural engagement. This revolutionary approach underscores the enduring relevance of Aquinas’ contributions to contemporary theological discussions.
Navigating Aquinas' Works
Aquinas produced many significant texts, including the 'Summa Theologiae' and various commentaries on biblical texts and Aristotle's writings. For newcomers, understanding how to approach these works can be daunting, so it is recommended to utilize secondary literature or specific commentaries to ease the journey into Aquinas' thought. One method for engaging with his work is to concentrate on the responses to objections in the 'Summa', fostering a more holistic understanding of his arguments without getting lost in the complexities of every detail. By focusing on select sections according to personal interest, readers can better navigate Aquinas' voluminous contributions and their theological implications.
Thomas Aquinas not only shaped the Church, but influenced
much of Western civilization. Who was this great saint? What
are some of his important writings? And how should we begin to read
his masterful Summa theologiae? Bishop Barron
offers some answers in this week's episode. A bright
14-year-old listener asks about Bertrand Russell's famous criticism
of Aquinas, and how to respond.
Topics Discussed
0:27 - Updates from Bishop Barron's
life
1:53 - How did Bishop Barron discover Thomas
Aquinas?
3:23 - Who was Thomas Aquinas?
4:45 - Surveying Aquinas' major works
7:42 - Best entry-level books on Thomas
Aquinas
10:03 - Aquinas'
unique disputatio style
13:07 - How Thomas Aquinas would engage the
New Atheists
15:36 - Why is it worth reading Thomas
Aquinas?
17:16 - How should we begin reading
the Summa theologiae?
19:40 - The landscape and structure of
the Summa
21:44 - Why Aquinas is a spiritual
master
24:40 - Question from listener: how to respond
to Bertrand Russell's crtiqiue of Aquinas?