{"product_id":"practical-theology-spiritual-direction-from-st-thomas-aquinas-9781586179687","title":"Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction from St. Thomas Aquinas","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom a lifetime of studying the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, popular author Peter Kreeft says that his amazement has continually increased not only at Aquinas' theoretical, philosophical brilliance and sanity, but also at his personal, practical wisdom, his \"existential bite.\" Yet this second dimension of St. Thomas has usually been eclipsed by the other. Kreeft wrote this book to help bring that sun out from its eclipse. He provides easily digestible samples of the religious wisdom of Aquinas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHere are 359 pieces of wisdom from St. Thomas's masterpiece, the \u003ci\u003eSumma Theologiae\u003c\/i\u003e, which Kreeft says \"are literally more valuable than all the kingdoms of this world because they will help you to attain 'the one thing needful, ' or 'the greatest good',\" the ultimate end and purpose and meaning of life. Three of its names are \"being a saint,\" \"beatitude\" (\"supreme happiness\") and \"union with God.\" That was the principle for Kreeft in choosing which passages to use: do they help you to attain your ultimate end - sanctity, happiness, union with God? St. Thomas would have agreed with writer Leon Bloy, who often wrote that in the end \"there is only one tragedy in life: not to have been a saint.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e These 359 gold nuggets have helped Kreeft in the struggles of real life, to live in the real world, to grow closer to the Lord, and he hopes they will do the same for his readers. After each passage directly from Aquinas, Kreeft provides brief spiritual commentary to help explain it and apply it - practical, personal, existential, \"livable\" thoughts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe has framed these readings as answers to questions that people actually ask their spiritual directors. Each answer is taken word for word from Aquinas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the many topics Aquinas and Kreeft cover here include: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe problem of evil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterpreting the Bible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLove vs. knowledge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReconciling justice and mercy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHuman freedom and divine grace\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAngels and demons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe need for theology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePredestination and free will\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree kinds of goods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Ignatius Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/21\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781586179687\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 378\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.49lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.80h x 6.90w x 1.00d","brand":"Peter Kreeft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36660693139612,"sku":"9781586179687","price":20.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_db0ff7ff-8ddb-4e6f-a1fb-86f2b1127059.jpg?v=1603897309","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/practical-theology-spiritual-direction-from-st-thomas-aquinas-9781586179687","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}