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The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning Spiritual Handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of a mystical/prophetic genius offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and action, this short book brings a well of deep wisdom to the surface. Matthew Fox’s stated purpose for this new “handbook” is to support and inspire the energy of a new generation of sacred activists working on the front lines of social change with the fierce wisdom of this courageous intellectual warrior and spiritual genius. “In these pages I have attempted to offer an accessible and succinct platform to hear the heart and mind of this giant thinker, philosopher, scientist, theologian, mystic, and prophet. And to make his wisdom available to many—especially the young.”
- GenresSpiritualityPhilosophy
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2020
79 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Fox
156 books174 followersTimothy James "Matthew " Fox is an American priest and theologian. Formerly a member of the Dominican Order within the Catholic Church, he became a member of the Episcopal Church following his expulsion from the order in 1993.
Fox has written 35 books that have been translated into 68 languages and have sold millions of copies and by the mid-1990s had attracted a "huge and diverse following"
Fox has written 35 books that have been translated into 68 languages and have sold millions of copies and by the mid-1990s had attracted a "huge and diverse following"
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 25, 2021
Whilst this book contains some interesting information about Thomas Aquinas, it does so with many mistaken and misleading views of Aquinas.
Firstly, Aquinas is held up as a proto-feminist hero ‘standing alone’ against patriarchal dualism (Kindle loc. 321) ‘waging a fierce battle to rebut dualism’ (885) which believes that people have a body and a soul (903).
Yes Aquinas took issue with some aspects of dualism, but he did firmly believe that people have a body and a soul (or ‘mind) which leaves the body at death and can dwell in heaven until it re-joins its resurrected body. To imply otherwise is just wrong.
Secondly, Aquinas is depicted as a ‘radical’ importing a new Aristotelian Scholasticim which he has learned from Islam (416). In doing so he heroically throws out the former teachings of the old dead patriarchs (693).
This is also wrong. Aquinas learned his Aristotelian Scholasticism from his teacher Albert the Great. If anyone deserves the credit for learning from Islam it should be Albert, not Aquinas.
Thirdly, we hear that Aquinas was ecumenical because he said that every truth is from the Holy Spirit (946). But this is not the endorsement of every religion’s ‘truths’ which the author claims it as. Aquinas wrote explicitly against the ideas of Judaism, Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy. To imply otherwise is to present a false impression of Aquinas.
Throughout, the book is just too focused on trying to portray Aquinas as some kind of ‘activist.’ The book states that it is for ‘spiritual activists’ (370) and it conscientiously name checks contemporary causes: Climate Emergency (264) Indigenous peoples (313) empire building adventurers (283), ‘privilege (328), ‘patriarchy’ (425), Greta Thunberg (459), indigenous wisdom (620), homophobia, misogyny and old white men (654). But the book's agenda leads it to distort Aquinas’ views on many topics, and mis-represent him.
To support this narrative of Aquinas the activist, we hear that there were riots protesting Aquinas at his house (326) and that the King had to send soldiers to protect him from the protestors (696).
Yes there were riots in thirteenth century Paris, but they were not particularly due to anything unique about Aquinas. Riots and protests were occurring at Paris before Aquinas arrived, and they occurred after he left. Rivalries between town and gown are a constant feature of medieval university cities and they often involved violence.
Overall I was disappointed in this book. It does make some correct comments about Aquinas but these are interspersed with too many misleading claims. This means that this is not a good ‘introductory’ book for readers who do not have enough prior knowledge of Aquinas to be able to critically sift for themselves what the author claims about Aquinas.
Firstly, Aquinas is held up as a proto-feminist hero ‘standing alone’ against patriarchal dualism (Kindle loc. 321) ‘waging a fierce battle to rebut dualism’ (885) which believes that people have a body and a soul (903).
Yes Aquinas took issue with some aspects of dualism, but he did firmly believe that people have a body and a soul (or ‘mind) which leaves the body at death and can dwell in heaven until it re-joins its resurrected body. To imply otherwise is just wrong.
Secondly, Aquinas is depicted as a ‘radical’ importing a new Aristotelian Scholasticim which he has learned from Islam (416). In doing so he heroically throws out the former teachings of the old dead patriarchs (693).
This is also wrong. Aquinas learned his Aristotelian Scholasticism from his teacher Albert the Great. If anyone deserves the credit for learning from Islam it should be Albert, not Aquinas.
Thirdly, we hear that Aquinas was ecumenical because he said that every truth is from the Holy Spirit (946). But this is not the endorsement of every religion’s ‘truths’ which the author claims it as. Aquinas wrote explicitly against the ideas of Judaism, Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy. To imply otherwise is to present a false impression of Aquinas.
Throughout, the book is just too focused on trying to portray Aquinas as some kind of ‘activist.’ The book states that it is for ‘spiritual activists’ (370) and it conscientiously name checks contemporary causes: Climate Emergency (264) Indigenous peoples (313) empire building adventurers (283), ‘privilege (328), ‘patriarchy’ (425), Greta Thunberg (459), indigenous wisdom (620), homophobia, misogyny and old white men (654). But the book's agenda leads it to distort Aquinas’ views on many topics, and mis-represent him.
To support this narrative of Aquinas the activist, we hear that there were riots protesting Aquinas at his house (326) and that the King had to send soldiers to protect him from the protestors (696).
Yes there were riots in thirteenth century Paris, but they were not particularly due to anything unique about Aquinas. Riots and protests were occurring at Paris before Aquinas arrived, and they occurred after he left. Rivalries between town and gown are a constant feature of medieval university cities and they often involved violence.
Overall I was disappointed in this book. It does make some correct comments about Aquinas but these are interspersed with too many misleading claims. This means that this is not a good ‘introductory’ book for readers who do not have enough prior knowledge of Aquinas to be able to critically sift for themselves what the author claims about Aquinas.
May 31, 2020
The teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas are brought forth in easy to understand way that Fr. Matthew Fox writes.
February 1, 2022
An inspiring study of Thomas Aquinas from the perspective of one who is more in tune with the Earth and nature than how he presented by his Church.
November 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this; while I didn't care for the frequent references to the author's other works, this was my first intro to Thomas Aquinas and am excited to explore more of his works
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews