WOF 021: How and Why to Read Thomas Aquinas

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.

• 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?

• Books
  
  
  
  • Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master
    by Bishop Robert Barron
    
    
    
    • Use THOMAS coupon code to save 10%!
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Summa of the Summa by Peter
    Kreeft
  
  
  • 
    Aquinas by Frederick Copleston
  
  
  • 
    The Christian Philosophy Of St Thomas Aquinas
    by Etienne Gilson 
  
  
  • St. Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox by G.K.
    Chesterton
  
  
  • The Silence of St. Thomas by Josef Pieper
  
  
  • On
    First Principles by Origen
  
  
  
  


• Websites
  
  
  
  • Summa theologiae online (free)
  
  
  • Summa contra
    Gentiles online
    (free)
  
  
  • Commentary on the
    Sentences of Peter Lombard online (free)
  
  
  
  

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and
be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron