Gary Neal Hansen

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The Lesson Every Christian Needs to Learn from St. Thomas Aquinas

January 27, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

St. Thomas Aquinas' Triumph over Averroes, Benozzo Gozzoli, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
St. Thomas Aquinas’ Triumph over Averroes, Benozzo Gozzoli, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Tomorrow the Western Church commemorates St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274). What should we learn from this Doctor of the Church? A lot.

For generations he was required study for Roman Catholics preparing for priesthood — no small influence there.

He was also the whipping boy of the Reformation — Luther and Calvin disliked him a lot, especially for the way he used the philosophy of Aristotle.

Christians are bound to differ on any single theological point he made.

But today’s Christ-followers should all imitate him on one thing:

He took the time to understand both sides.

Listen to Christians in the public sphere on almost any topic. We often sound like there is only one answer that an intelligent or faithful person could possibly give. The hotter the issue, the more strident our one-sidedness.

This despite the obvious fact that on most of our hot issues we are arguing with other Christians. Since both sides are all warmed up for their views, passionate Christians obviously do hold different views.

We sound shrill and look foolish. It is an embarrassment to the Gospel. 

Enter Thomas Aquinas and his masterful, incomplete Summa Theologiae (aka Summa Theologica). I describe it to my students as a medieval cathedral of the mind: each idea convincingly argued becomes a brick to build on. Layer by convincing layer, he presents his theology systematically and coherently.

In the midst of those convincing arguments, on every page he spends almost as much ink explaining opponents’ views as he does on his own.

He worked through the questions in a highly structured, stylized way:

1. He posed a question.

2. He raised a whole series of answers on one side of that question, supporting them with Scripture and reason.

3. He offered one statement from scripture or a great theologian that goes the opposite way, followed by a cogent explanation of this, his own view.

4. He gives a biblical and rational answer to every one of the arguments raised by the other side in part #2.

When students read Thomas for the first time they almost always get lost. Reading #2 they become convinced that it is the right answer — Thomas gives so many solid arguments they figure it has to be what he wants them to believe.

Then they get to #3 and confusion sets in: How come he is saying that his own view is the opposite of what he just spent half a page on?

They have never before encountered a Christian who spent so much time and energy articulating the views of the other side.

Then heaven help them when they get to #4.

They have never before encountered a Christian who took the opposing side so seriously that he offered clear counter-arguments to every single one of their points.

If you want to find Thomas’ views on a question, just read the part I’ve called #3. But if you want a model of fair-minded Christian argument, take a good look at #2 and #4. Go back and forth between the views he opposes and the arguments he offers to refute them.

If you want to convince your neighbor of your point, love your neighbor first.

Love your neighbors by showing that you can articulate their views as well as they can.

Who comes to mind as a role model of Christian fair-mindedness and love in disagreement today?

————

Whichever side of the issue you are on (and whatever the issue may be) I hope you’ll share the post! You can use the buttons below.

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Filed Under: Saints, Theology Tagged With: Benozzo Gozzoli, Christian arguments, Christians, St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Summa Theologica, theology, Thomas Aquinas

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Comments

  1. Chad R. Allen (@ChadRAllen) says

    January 27, 2014 at 4:12 PM

    Great post. Brian McLaren comes to mind. He’s always so generous with his detractors.

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      January 29, 2014 at 10:18 AM

      Thanks so much, Chad!

      Reply
  2. smhoney says

    January 27, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    Posted my answer to ? On FB. Lila Rose. However allow me to add my complete agreement that his works are tough slogging. Decided quickly that “The Essential Works of Thomas Aquinas” is NOT bedtime reading. I’m glad you confirmed the format I’d figured out. Great post. Valid points. Learning the other’s perspective is critical to compassion in our portrayal of Christ in today’s world.

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      January 29, 2014 at 10:21 AM

      Glad to hear you have taken the dive into Thomas’ works! Indeed not bedtime reading if you really want to track the ideas. (But sometimes a really complicated book at bedtime is a very good plan if you need a nudge toward dreamland!)

      Reply
      • smhoney says

        January 29, 2014 at 2:21 PM

        Nice thought Gary but it had the opposite effect on me. As I focused to follow the arguments and scriptural points I became more and more awake so as he gave his real perspective I was eyes wide open.

        Reply
  3. Cheyanna says

    January 27, 2014 at 10:21 PM

    Thank you for your post. I shared it with my systematic theology class because as usual you explain the lessons we learn from history so well.

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      January 29, 2014 at 10:22 AM

      Cheyanna that’s great to hear! Your students are always welcome here, so please pass on my invitation.

      (Tell me more about the class sometime. Where are you teaching?)

      Reply
  4. segmation says

    January 29, 2014 at 1:16 PM

    What a wonderful Benozzo Gozzoli!

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      January 29, 2014 at 1:28 PM

      Glad you like it! I’m ever grateful to Wikimedia Commons for making public domain images accessible.

      Reply
      • segmation says

        January 29, 2014 at 1:29 PM

        This is true!

        Reply

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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