

The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 19, 2019 • 1h 3min
Hope on Earth: The Sacraments of Jesus Christ | Fr. Dominic Langevin, OP
Fr. Dominic Langevin, OP, a Dominican priest, discusses how Catholic sacraments like penance, anointing of the sick, the Eucharist, and marriage nurture hope on earth. Topics include the theological concept of hope, seeking help from saints and angels, and the significance of sacraments symbolizing grace and virtue, with a focus on marriage and the anointing of the sick.

Jun 18, 2019 • 1h 3min
Is Belief in God Rational? | Prof. Mark Barker
Prof. Mark Barker discusses the rationality of belief in God, contrasting faith and reason. They explore perspectives from ancient Greek philosophers, Luther, Kierkegaard, and Aquinas. The podcast delves into biblical ethics, Greek philosophers' views on the divine mind, and theological notions of divine immutability and simplicity.

Jun 18, 2019 • 1h 13min
What Can Film Teach Us About Religion? C.S. Lewis Goes to the Movies | Prof. Thomas Hibbs
Prof. Thomas Hibbs discusses C.S. Lewis's philosophy on art in film, emphasizing subtle communication of ideas. They delve into themes of mortality in popular culture and moral judgments in films like Star Wars. The impact of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and warnings in science fiction films also discussed.

Jun 15, 2019 • 1h 56min
Is Today's University Hollow? | Fr. Stephen Fields, S.J.
Fr. Stephen Fields, S.J., a Jesuit priest, discusses Cardinal Newman's influence on today's universities, the transformative power of education, cultivating virtues, exploring truth in a post-Cartesian world, the role of the principle of non-contradiction in Thomistic philosophy, re-evaluating liberal arts education, inclusiveness and diversity in universities, the role of God in knowledge acquisition, and the relationship between the natural order and the order of grace.

Jun 13, 2019 • 1h 12min
The Virtue of Justice and Why It Matters | Prof. Jonathan Sanford
Join Prof. Jonathan Sanford as he discusses the evolving views on justice in society, the relationship between advocating for rights and human dependency, the importance of virtues like courage and justice, the connection between beauty and justice, the interplay of justice, mercy, and charity, the impact of Rawls' ideas on policy development, and the application of principles of justice in universities.

Jun 12, 2019 • 1h 1min
Who are the Church Fathers and Why Do They Matter Now? | Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP
Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP, an expert in Church history and theology, discusses the significance of Church Fathers in shaping beliefs and practices. Topics include their impact on Christianity and Western civilization, controversies among them, and their influence on ecclesiastical structure and decisions. The conversation explores the importance of historical context in studying figures like Augustine and Pelagius, and the relationship between the fathers of the church and scholastic theology.

Jun 11, 2019 • 31min
The Science and Practice of Christian Prayer | Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP
Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP, explores Christian prayer's evolution, emphasizing contemplation for a deeper connection with God. He discusses the stages of Christian prayer like the prayer of quiet and mystical prayer, touching on themes of forgiveness, grace, and transformation. The podcast also delves into intercessory prayer, God's work through different instruments, and individuals' collaborative role in divine action.

Jun 8, 2019 • 1h 33min
What is a Law of Nature? | Prof. Edward Feser
Philosophy professor Prof. Edward Feser discusses the nature of physical laws, exploring different perspectives like Platonic, instrumentalist, and Aristotelian views. The discussion covers scientism, regularity theory, miracles, essence, and the relationship between laws of nature and physical substances' essences.

Jun 6, 2019 • 42min
The Mind of Christ: Christ's Human Knowledge and Our Salvation | Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P.
Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., discusses Christ's human knowledge in relation to salvation, highlighting the role of knowledge in revealing God's truth and securing our salvation. He explores various forms of knowledge in Christ's human mind and addresses objections. The podcast connects supernatural knowledge to divine revelation and Christ's embodiment of the word.

Jun 5, 2019 • 1h
Why Did God Die? Salvation According to Aquinas | Prof. Rik Van Nieuwenhove
Prof. Rik Van Nieuwenhove, a theology and philosophy professor, discusses Thomas Aquinas' views on salvation, exploring the penal aspect and God's justice. They delve into sin, forgiveness, and divine mercy in Aquinas' theology, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice. The discussion also touches on God's generosity and mercy in salvation, highlighting the interplay between justice and liberality.