The Thomistic Institute

Chad Pecknold, an expert on political theology, delves into the essence of politics in human nature, the impact of political identities on societal divisions, and the importance of embracing our true political nature for the common good. He discusses the teachings of St. Augustine's City of God, emphasizing the distinction between the city of man and the city of God, and highlighting the role of the church in upholding societal well-being. Pecknold advocates for redirecting societal aims towards more perfect goals and purifying political conversations, while exploring the influence of geographical size and attachment to land in political concepts.

Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, OP, discusses the compatibility between Thomistic theology and Darwinian biology, exploring topics like genetic diversity, interpreting sacred scriptures, defining species, evolution of language, and origins of human culture and language.

Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP, discusses the similarities between Christ's life and our own, emphasizing the importance of aligning our loves with His. Topics include Christ's unconditional love, balancing joy and sorrow, spiritual teachings on joy and sorrow, and maintaining gratitude in prosperity and affliction.

Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP, a Dominican priest, discusses the profound relationship between joy, sorrow, and love in shaping human experiences. He explores the concept of charity, divine love, and Christ's sacrifices for humanity, highlighting the connection between joys, sorrows, and love in our own lives.

Philosopher and author Christopher Kaczor delves into Aristotle's views on friendship and virtues, exploring the characteristics of genuine friends and the impact of friendships on behavior and happiness. The discussion also covers the influence of choosing friends wisely and fostering meaningful relationships, along with the essence of friendship with God and the importance of practical wisdom.

Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P. explores true happiness and the meaningful life through the lens of philosophical traditions like Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. He discusses the importance of rationality, intellect, and will in achieving happiness, distinguishing between relative and perfect happiness, and emphasizing the pursuit of excellence and virtues like temperance.

Join expert in natural law theory, Kotaro Paul Francis Tanaka, as he discusses Pope Benedict's perspective on natural law, the concept of law and justice, globalism in natural law theory, and the role of the Church in promoting justice in society. Delve into the debate surrounding the universality of law, the relationship between nature and grace, and the evolution of natural law theory within Catholic social teachings.

Fr. Dominic Legge OP discusses Pope Benedict XVI's book 'Jesus of Nazareth,' emphasizing the intertwining of scripture, tradition, and faith claims in understanding Jesus. They explore the historical method's impact on Christian faith, the communal nature of scripture, and the rise of historical approaches in human anthropology. The podcast also touches on promoting biblical literacy and strategies for cultivating a more robust Christian culture.

Paul Gondreau, a theologian, delves into the motives behind God becoming man, exploring beauty and fittingness over intellectual coherence. The discussion parallels the incarnation to a masterpiece of art, emphasizing freedom of choice and meticulous planning. Topics include the Eucharist, Christ's dual nature, and divinization in theology through Augustine and Aquinas.

Dr. Chris Ruddy delves into Ratzinger's liturgical views, emphasizing Jesus as the perfect worshipper and human liturgical nature. Topics include Israel's worship and idolatry, Ratzinger's theology of sacrifice and glorification, liturgical changes post Vatican II, and the significance of liturgy in evangelization.