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.
Topics Discussed

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?

Bonus Resources

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