Christian Agnosticism: Learned Ignorance

Abstract

THOMAS AQUINAS WAS KNOWN as the ‘Dumb Ox’ at school, probably on account of his substantial frame. He is second only to Augustine amongst heavyweight theologians, and was the lynchpin in the thirteenth-century embrace of Aristotle. His great achievement was the harmonisation of the writings of the ancient Greek — whose authority was such that he was referred to simply as ‘The Philosopher’ — with Christian thought. Thomas has been called a ‘genius’ in leading philosophy journals; ‘one of the dozen greatest philosophers of the western world’, by Anthony Kenny, one of his keenest contemporary readers; he was canonised by the Roman Catholic Church in 1323.

He who reverently pursues the Boundless, even though he will never attain it, will himself advance by pushing forward in his pursuit.

St Hilary