Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach

by Leonardo De Chirico

On the occasion of the 8th centenary of Thomas Aquinas, the book is a thoughtful introduction aimed at presenting the main contours of his complex legacy and critically evaluating it especially in areas where the "Roman Catholic" Thomas is more than the "classical" theologian who is attracting renewed attention in evangelical circles.

The influence of Thomas Aquinas on Western theology is beyond dispute, but his is a contested legacy.
In current evangelical studies there is an emerging infatuation with Thomas, especially as far as his theological metaphysics is concerned.

De Chirico offers the perplexed evangelical a framework to think through. The inquiring Roman Catholic reader will be invited to consider an alternative. The general reader may find answers to questions such

- Are Thomas and Thomism(s) the same?
- What does evangelical thought need to be aware about the strengths and dangers of Thomas Aquinas?
- How can Rome’s chief doctor be at the same time a reference point for evangelical theology?

The book will address this whole debate by contributing a thoughtful analysis from an evangelical viewpoint.

Genres: Theology, Catholic

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009. He served as Vice Chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance from 2003-2021 and now serves as chairman for the theological commission of the IEA.

Previously, Leonardo planted and pastored an evangelical church in Ferrara, Italy, from 1997 to 2009. He earned degrees in History (University of Bologna), Theology (ETCW, Bridgend, Wales) and Bioethics (University of Padova).

His PhD is from King's College (London); it was published as Evangelical Theological Perspectives on Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism.

In 2015, he published A Christian Pocket Guide to Papacy and A Christian Pocket Guide to Mary: Mother of God? through Christian Focus.

He is a lecturer of Historical Theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy.

Additionally, Leonardo is the Director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars & Leaders Network (RSLN).

Reviews

[Josh Kannard]

I wish I had read this some 4 months ago before I started reading Aquinas for systematic theology. De Chirico, or as I know him, Leo, my pastor, provides great context and practical warnings for understanding and interacting with Aquinas as Evangelicals. As the chief architect of the Roman Catholic system, and a complex and systemic thinker, it's important that we as protestants understand his intellectual foundations and the implications of the parts of his theology on all the others. Great discussion of Aquinas's view of analogy and his nature-grace interconnection. Overall, extremely useful for a theology student such as myself.

As Leo and my father often joke, "everything is awesome", and I, dear Leo, rate your book as such.

[Christian Barrett]

This is a really helpful introduction to Thomas Aquinas and how is currently being engaged with by evangelicals. The work covers the history of how Aquinas has been used, and misused, by Protestants and Catholics alike. A worthwhile precursor if you’re thinking about looking at primary sources from Aquinas.

[Evan Cruse]

Repetitive in parts, but helpful! The content matches the title.