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Cosmology, Science & A Spirituality of Matter in Aquinas 03/22/2024 |
We have been meditating on Aquinas as a proto-feminist, a practitioner of Deep Ecumenism, a lover of creation and cosmology. He honored science and the scientific vocation, and his embrace of Aristotle scandalized many. |
Aquinas wrote an elaborate commentary on the cosmology of Aristotle’s day, where he both explains and critiques in detail the theories of Eudoxus, Callipus, Plato, Aristotle, and others on planetary movements.
I reproduce that text as an Appendix in my Sheer Joy book, and do so, as I say, not because I understand it all, but
because to read it is to appreciate how
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A 1661 chart illustrating the heliocentric model of the planets, which overturned previous belief that the Earth was the center of the cosmos. Chart by Andreas Cellarius. Wikimedia Commons. |
passionately and critically involved Aquinas was in the questions of science. One can imagine on reading this, how fully Aquinas would be throwing himself into today’s science, and especially the new creation story of the universe. Indeed, Aquinas has been a major
influence on both Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme, champions of the new cosmology in our time. I have probably heard Berry lecture 25 times, and not once did he fail to cite Aquinas. |
Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., explains how Aquinas proved God’s existence from the world’s order. Video by The Thomistic
Institute. | Père
Chenu, who ushered in a critical historical approach to understanding Aquinas, summarized his vast contribution to Western culture, when Aquinas moved away from the put-down of matter by philosophical dualists, and toward honoring the reality and sacredness of matter (and |
therefore of
Incarnation in all its aspects). Chenu writes: In the finest hour of the University of Paris, in the emancipated world of the Communes, Thomas Aquinas roused the anger and disdain of intellectuals and religious people, by proclaiming the importance of matter in the metaphysics of the universe, in the constitution of man and in the
evolution of society. |
Yes, the importance of matter (which derives from the word mater, mother). Is that not something to celebrate this Women’s History month? Matter is not something to flee from, in the name of spirituality, but to enter into and to celebrate and to explore more fully. And this applies to the history of matter—what we call
evolution— |
Women marching for all matters related to the common good. An estimated half-million marched on Washington DC on January 21, 2017, with 5 million, worldwide, also marching in solidarity. Photo by Mobilus in Mobili. Wikimedia Commons. |
and
our story as humans with a 13.8-billion-year history. It also applies to society itself, where the common good is all about issues of “matter:” housing, health care, economics, freedom, justice, fairness, gender, sexuality, our bodies, Mother Earth, and all her creatures. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 48, 521-529. And M. D. Chenu, “Body and Body Politic in the Creation Spirituality of Thomas Aquinas, in Matthew Fox, ed., Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical
Routes, pp. 193-214. And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom For Hard Times, pp. 1-32.
Banner Image: An illustration demonstrating the relationship between the Sun’s emissions over time, and its quantitative
effects at the biological level. Graphic by Wales. Wikimedia Commons.
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Queries for Contemplation Do you recognize a connection between mater (mother) and matter? Is misogyny frequently born of a dualism that separates
spirit from matter? How do Aquinas and science and you resist that aberration? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake |
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Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes In this book, Fox gathers scholars from various cultures and traditions such as
Helen Kenik, Jon Sobrino, Nicolas Berdyaev, Rosemary Ruether, M. D. Chenu, Mary Jose Hobday, Ronald Miller, Monika Hellwig, James Kenney, Justin O’Brien and others to approach creation spirituality from many traditions and many angles.
“An exciting and important book…a pleasant alternative to the oppressive burden of the fall/redemption tradition.” ~ New Review of Books and Religion |
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The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and
action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author
of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox has created a narrative, for every parent and grandparent, both spiritual and
scientific, that is a gift for all elders who recognize their responsibility in initiating the young ones into the grandeur of existence." Cosmologist Brian Swimme, Author of Cosmogenesis and The Universe Story "Matthew Fox has given all of us, children included, a wondrous and enchanting view of creation
and all that humanity should aspire to." - Caroline Myss, Author of Anatomy of the Spirit and A Time for Grace Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors, Tuesday, March 26, 4:00-5:00pm PT. Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, April 18, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register
HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Natural Grace: Dialogues on Creation, Darkness and the Soul in Spirituality and Science in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying" at the 2024 Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies. To listen, click the video thumbnail at right. |
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