Summary of Practical Theology: Spiritual Direction from Saint Thomas Aquinas by Peter Kreeft

Immerse yourself in Kreeft's 'Practical Theology' as he explores Aquinas' wisdom on spiritual direction, prayer, and living a virtuous life.

Welcome to the world of Practical Theology, where spirituality meets the classic wisdom of Saint Thomas Aquinas-a mix that promises not to inexplicably float your boat, but rather sets you firmly on solid ground, contemplating your life's greatest dilemmas while sipping on your cup of coffee (or, let's be honest, something stronger).

Peter Kreeft dives into the mind of the good ol' Thomas Aquinas, a man who has likely had more impact on theology than your high school teacher had on your math skills. Aquinas believed that if you ever wanted to stand a chance of knowing God, you've got to start with a hefty dose of common sense, sprinkled with a good chunk of philosophical inquiry. Think of him as the spiritual Google, only much more reliable-no ads or annoying pop-ups, just wisdom galore.

Kreeft takes you through Aquinas' approach to spiritual direction, which can feel more like a chat with your wise grandma than a scholarly debate. I mean, who wouldn't want a little divine advice mixed with some medieval logic? Chapters of this book range from understanding the human condition in its full, spectacular messiness, to diving deep into the art of discernment-essentially how to figure out whether you should really be dating that sketchy person from Tinder.

What about prayer, you ask? Well, Kreeft doesn't just glance at it; he gives you a full-fledged tour! He discusses how prayer isn't merely muttering a few lines in times of trouble, but rather a profound conversation with the Divine-think of it as facetime for your soul. Want to make it less awkward? Be yourself, like Aquinas would advise.

Now, let's sprinkle in some juicy tidbits about the virtues, shall we? Kreeft delivers the whole nine yards-from faith, hope, and charity, to your everyday virtues like prudence and justice. Forget those vague self-help books that never really teach you how to balance your checkbook or deal with your overly touchy-feely neighbor. Kreeft offers solid, practical advice that you can actually use-because who doesn't want to lead a virtuous life while silently judging others who don't?

And because this is theology, expect to take a detour or two into some mildly complicated philosophical discussions. Don't worry-Kreeft keeps it as entertaining as a casual dinner conversation; no one wants to fall asleep mid-sentence here. The book reads less like a lecture and more like a fun night out chatting about the meaning of life while avoiding existential crises-you know, typical Saturday night stuff.

As you wrap up this mind-bending journey through theology, you'll realize Kreeft's aim isn't just to lead you to think; it's to help you be. Spoiler: It's all about living a life enriched by both faith and intellect. Who knew spirituality could have such a techy twist?

In summary, if you're looking for a hands-on guide to spiritual direction that's not shy about quoting a hefty dose of Aquinas, or if you want to bathe in the wisdom that is often so tragically lost in the modern world, grab yourself a copy of Kreeft's masterpiece. Just be ready to walk away a little more enlightened, slightly confused, and perhaps questioning whether that God-thing is indeed real or if you just got a little too caught up in your own thoughts. Happy reading!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.