/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

Ditch the catholic church and get saved

>>552922

>I've been meaning to read more of Aquinas and Augustine

How about just reading the BIBLE?

>>552928

>asking a Catholic to read the Bible

Good luck with that

>>552922

Just read through the index of the Summa. It lists all the questions there. Many of them will be likely questions you have and are interested in. Just read those. Don't feel like you have to read the whole thing. That's a lot to take on.

>>552922

Dont count it as a disrespect please, But with all the respect, I somewhat dislike Aquinas and consider most of his theories to be delivered from his own thought, frail human mind and sometimes even pagan philosophers. And Augustine, despite being one of the greatest saints, was a manichean, influence of which we can sometimes see in his writings. So dont rely solely on these two and see other theologians as well. And most importantly read bible and base your own opinions too and then examine opinions of the fathers. In any case there are lots of theories that can be accepted. I suppose since you are a catholic, your state is understandable, due to preference to scholasticism, but as an Ortho, I dont see problem with this due to our preference to apophatic theology that allows lots of arrays of theologoumena.

Also regarding more questions, God is infinite, so we will have infinite questions with him and in my opinion that makes life interesting, this is sort of a mission without endpoint that man can have. So it shouldn't discourage you, but vice versa. This is what makes our lives interesting. Short advise would be to read Bible, read its commentaries, actively participate in church life And seek divine knowledge with more enthusiasm. I hope it helped somewhat.

>>552930

>>552928

Did you not read:

>every time I read I find something that intrigues or confuses me and it only creates more questions

I imply that coming upon the saints will help me with this.

I hate Protties so much

>>552938

Catholic chiming in here

Aquinas is the Angelic Doctor get over it and begom esdern gadolig. As for the comment on Augustine that is a pretty dumb thing to say since 1st Augustine fully rejected Manichaeism hard, not extending any olive branches unlike Scott Hahn or Jimmy Akin, and as far as Ive read have not seen anything like thar but rather the contrary. I know its an obvious jab but honestly I can see how as an Orthodox it is hard to deal with Aquinas considering you have nothing in comparison and it is such a testament to the faith. And since to someone who studies him only s little bit he can seem kind of lame and cold and, it is that route you can take and say he was just a normal man eith a bit of autism or something. St Thomas wrote some of the greatest music, he put together the propers for Corpus Christi. Just my Catholic input to help OP.

>>552983

Look, I did read Aquinas, and no, I dont consider Him as "Angelic doctor" And I have stated why I dislike his summa, not because of that "he seems cold" or something, but because what I said earlier. Large part in summa are either assumptions of his own, or that of another man, which I dont consider convenient, and yes, this includes theories about Angels and no, I dont consider Dionysian Angelology convenient either, I usually stick with Palamas. And yes, I respect Aquinas for what is likable in him and his works.

Anywho, I dont want to start debate about this topic. The point was, that dont stick on solely Aquinas and Augustine, but review other theologians as well.

I think it's a big mistake to constantly dig yourself down in theological arguments. In my experience that will never grant you joy or satisfaction beyond getting a feeling that you are correct. Have you done volunteer work? Maybe fed some poor? Forgiven someone who angered you in person? Many saints all affirm that the more you do the more grace God wants to give you. Remember the parable of the servants and the coins?