Aquinas Among the Protestants

by Manfred Svensson (Editor), David VanDrunen (Editor)

AQUINAS AMONG THE PROTESTANTS This major new book provides an introduction to Thomas Aquinas’s influence on Protestantism. The editors, both noted commentators on Aquinas, bring together a group of influential scholars to demonstrate the ways that Anglican, Lutheran, and Reformed thinkers have analyzed and used Thomas through the centuries. Later chapters also explore how today’s Protestants might appropriate the work of Aquinas to address a number of contemporary theological and philosophical issues. The authors set the record straight and disavow the widespread impression that Aquinas is an irrelevant figure for the history of Protestant thought. This assumption has dominated not only Protestant historiography but also Roman Catholic accounts of the Reformation and Protestant intellectual life. The book opens the possibility for contemporary reception, engagement, and critique and even intra-Protestant relations and Aquinas Among the Protestants is a ground-breaking and interdenominational work for students and scholars of Thomas Aquinas and theology more generally.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, History, Religion, Church History

328 pages, Hardcover

Published September 25, 2017

Reviews

[Jeremy]

See Trueman's review here. Contrast with this book. See here.

Saw a Twitter exchange where someone claimed that VT's alleged misunderstanding of Aquinas was common and not an undergrad-level misunderstanding (perhaps even shared by Barth). One professor reviewed his lectures on Aquinas on the material and "concluded that basically Van Til’s presentation of Thomas was right."

[Ian Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great range of subjects, good choice of scholars, and clearly written. Presents a convincing case that Aquinas has long been and should continue to be engaged with both positively and critically amongst various Protestant traditions. This really is a must read.

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Les néocalvinistes du début XXIe siècle ont engendré dans leur sillage une vraie démocratisation des réformateurs, et presque 20 ans plus tard, ce ne sont plus seulement les réformateurs, mais les sources médiévales de ceux-ci qui sont étudiés, dont l'une des plus importante: Thomas d'Aquin. Ainsi, on assiste aujourd'hui à une démocratisation de Thomas d'Aquin au sein même du protestantisme réformé, avec la question qui revient systématiquement: est-il compatible avec leur doctrine? Est-il bon ou utile pour ce mouvement théologique?

Cette collection d'essais est absolument excellente pour cela, et pour tracer quelques pistes de développement des "réformés thomistes". J'ai ainsi appris le véritable impact et héritage de Thomas d'Aquin parmi les réformés, et particulièrement les réformés scholastiques (très positifs), les variations entre les théologies de Zanchius (thomiste réformé) et Thomas d'Aquin (minime) comment la théorie du langage analogique et l'éthique de vertu de Thomas d'Aquin a été non seulement présente, mais très appréciée des réformateurs... Et en plus de cela, plusieurs essais qui tâchent de tracer des pistes de réflexion présentes à l'interaction entre thomiste et réforme.

J'ai apprécié chaque minute de lecture. Un livre utile comme bien peu pour quiconque s'intéresse au thomisme et indispensable à ceux qui s'intéressent au thomisme réformé

[David Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of essays by a number of protestant scholars (from a variety of protestant traditions) which provides powerful historical proof that protestant theologians, from the earliest years of the Reformation to the present day, have consistently used, and in some cases relied upon, the thought of Thomas Aquinas. Historical research into the writings of the early reformers reveals that though there have been, and still are, many areas of disagreement between protestant theologians and Aquinas, there have been, and still are. just as many areas of agreement. This is true even of protestant theologians who do directly refer to Aquinas. The articles cover a whole array of subjects, interact with prominent theologians from a whole variety of protestant denominations (including Luther and Lutherans, Calvin and Calvinists, Puritans, the dutch reformed theologians such as Kuyper, etc.), and indicate that there is a growing interest, among Protestants, in the thought of Thomas Aquinas. This book is a wonderful read, and a necessary addition to the library of any serious student of theology.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good little book explaining the Protestants interaction with Aquinas. It is essentially divided into a couple of main sections one dealing with historical protestant reception of Aquinas and another constructive building on Aquinas’ ST. As a series of essays, some of these are better than others. A couple of my favorites were Helm’s interaction on nature and Grace and Fesko’s interaction either Aquinas on Infused Habits and justification

[Zachary Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. Some of the chapters really helped some things click in my mind. One does not have to be a Reformed Thomist to learn from Aquinas, but he is certainly worth reading.

[Laurent Dv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good historical overview of Aquinas's understanding by philosophers and theologians :
At the beginning, Aquinas was well understood, especially by reformed scholastic (Zanchi, Turretin ...).
Then at the beginning of the modern period until the end of 20th century (Enlightment and liberal theology), almost nobody understood him, including the so-called thomists in this time. When Protestants are criticizing Aquinas, they are often criticizing the thomists philosophy who spread everywhere their misunderstandings of Aquinas. It includes some Reformational philosophers (Dooyeweerd here is criticized), Cornelius Van Til, William Lane Craig, Martin Luther and even at an extent the great Herman Bavinck.
Finally at the end of 20th century there is a rediscovery of Aquinas real thought by both Catholics and Protestants (Norman Geisler, Richard Muller ...).

It also includes studies on different subjects in Aquinas worldview.

[Denny Skoch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, interesting work. The first part is focusing more on historical interaction, some of which are interesting while some of the chapters weren't as interesting (for my interests). The second half is where there is more constructive interaction and found pretty much all of them to be quite interesting to read (especially Michael Allen's chapter). Definitely will be going back to a few chapters to reread and look for further resources into topics.

[Rusten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Swain & Fesko essays were fantastic. Most of the book is basically a defense of why it's totally normal and ok for protestants to appreciate Thomas - which I think very few Protestants actually disagree with.

I'd like to see a book like this which addresses the militant thomism coming out of the reformed world which simultaneously gives appreciation for Thomas but explains why so much of his work was used for many of the abominations of Trent.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of academic essays discussing Reformed, Lutheran, and Anglican continuity and discontinuity with the theology of Thomas Aquinas. The scholarship, to my knowledge, seems sound, but this isn’t a book the average layperson needs to read.

[Benjamin Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters in this book are must reads, others aren't very helpful or insightful.

[Adriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting overall. Some chapters way better than others. It is really just an overview, not a deep dive.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then you find a book that catapults your thinking on a subject(s) way ahead; this is one such book.

A great collection of essays, mostly showing how the reformers, the high orthodox reformed, the puritans, and others have used Aquinas, and where they decidedly took a different path. Very helpful.

Loved it.