In this thought-provoking episode, we welcome back Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, a leading Reformed evangelical theologian and pastor in Rome, for a consideration of the legacy and ongoing influence of Thomas Aquinas. Drawing from his recent book, Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach (Apollos), Dr. De Chirico offers a critical yet charitable appraisal of Aquinas’s theological architecture and enduring impact on Roman Catholicism.
Together, Camden and Leonardo explore key themes such as the Catholic Church’s dual nature—Roman and Catholic—the evolving role of Thomism across church history, and the tensions within Roman Catholic thought on Vatican II and modernity. Listeners will also hear how Protestants have historically interacted with Aquinas and why an eclectic, biblically grounded engagement remains vital today.
This episode offers not only theological clarity but pastoral wisdom for evangelicals navigating the complexities of tradition, authority, and theological retrieval in a post-Reformation world.
Links
- Leonardo De Chirico, Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach (Apollos)
- Vatican Files
- The Reformanda Initiative
- Rome Scholars and Leaders Network
- The Reformanda Initiative podcast
Watch on YouTube.
Chapters
- 00:07 Introduction
- 11:09 Engaging with Thomas Aquinas
- 17:53 Thomas Aquinas’s Lasting Influence
- 29:07 Approaching Thomas Critically
- 37:00 Thomas as an Architectural Thinker
- 41:46 A Protestant Perspective
- 53:54 Five Guidelines for Evangelicals Engaging with Aquinas
- 58:53 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Leonardo De Chirico
Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living. Browse more episodes from this program or subscribe to the podcast feed.
