The Permanent Things Thomas Aquinas
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Oct 7, 2019 Dr. Peter Epps, a scholar with a PhD in Literature and Religion from Baylor University and a founding fellow of the Servio Institute, delves into the timeless ideas of Thomas Aquinas. He shares his initial skepticism and later rediscovery of Aquinas's works. Epps explains how Aquinas integrates Aristotle's systematic methods into theology and highlights three core Thomistic ideas. He also discusses Aquinas's influence on Dante and advocates for a holistic approach in Catholic education, stressing the importance of intellectual history.
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Late Conversion To Aquinas
- Peter Epps first read Thomas Aquinas unsympathetically during his 20s while researching Augustine and the Fathers.
- About 10–15 years later Aquinas' ideas sank in and made Epps more sympathetic to thinkers like John Calvin.
Aristotle Provides The Missing Categories
- Aquinas imported much of Aristotle's systematic categories into Christian theology to correct earlier imbalances from Neoplatonism.
- This recovered Greek background lets theologians ask the right questions and avoid category errors.
Augustine And Aquinas Largely Agree
- Aquinas and Augustine converge on core Christian commitments despite different philosophical rhetoric.
- Aquinas systematizes while Augustine operates in Neoplatonic rhetorical modes, but both integrate learning and faith.
