Aquinas – An Interview with the Late Dr. Norman Geisler

Norman Geisler’s Defense of Thomas Aquinas: A Timeless Legacy for Evangelicals

In a 1974 article in Christianity Today, author Ronald Nash reflected on the 700th anniversary of Thomas Aquinas’s death. While Nash acknowledged Aquinas’s intellectual contributions, he ultimately judged his system of thought as “unsuitable for a biblically centered Christian philosophy” and “beyond any hope of salvage.” However, Norman Geisler, a respected scholar and president of Southern Evangelical Seminary, strongly disagrees with this assessment. Geisler, who has studied Aquinas for over 45 years, has long championed the value of Aquinas’s philosophy for evangelical Christians. He elaborates on his favorable evaluation of the Angelic Doctor in his book Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Appraisal (Baker, 1991).

Geisler’s defense of Aquinas is grounded in both the intellectual rigor and theological depth that Aquinas brought to Christian thought. According to Geisler, Aquinas’s appeal lies in several key areas: his insightfulness, comprehensiveness, systematic approach, biblical foundation, devout faith, and the enduring relevance of his work. 

But what makes Aquinas’s philosophy particularly appealing for evangelical Christians? Geisler argues that Aquinas’s ability to synthesize and defend the Christian faith against challenges—such as the intellectual threat posed by Islam in the 13th century—has had a lasting impact on history.  Geisler notes that Aquinas’s system of thought was instrumental in shaping Christian theology and philosophy, providing a comprehensive framework that still speaks to contemporary issues.

In a world where many intellectual challenges face the Christian faith, Geisler believes that Aquinas’s insights offer valuable tools for engaging with these modern concerns. As he continues to study and teach Aquinas’s work, Geisler encourages others to appreciate the deep intellectual legacy that Aquinas left for Christians, both past and present.

You’ve studied Aquinas for 45 years now. What makes him so appealing?

“He’s insightful, he’s incisive, he’s comprehensive, he’s systematic, he’s biblical, he’s devout, and he’s successful. By successful, I mean, first, how many other books are still being read 700 years later? Second, he single-handedly withstood the onslaught of intellectual Islam in the thirteenth century. He reversed the course of history.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Reprinted with permission from Christianity Today.