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Endorsements
and Reviews for Aquinas,
Bonaventure, and the Scholastic Culture of Medieval
Paris “This impressive and captivating study
changes our view of medieval scholastic culture in Paris.
The preparation of students for the art of preaching is
much more important than usually thought of, as it
influences the method of the two other magisterial tasks
of reading (Scripture) and (per implication) debating.”
“Professor Smith's work reflects his longtime
friendships with the philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre and
the spiritual master Michael Sherwin. With marvelous
erudition and characteristically winsome prose, Smith
leads the reader into the vibrant world of medieval
preaching and prologues - and thus into a range of debates
about pedagogy, the nature of Scripture, spirituality and
theology, social practices, mystical delight, the liberal
arts, and philosophical wisdom. In his hands, Aquinas and
Bonaventure come alive.”
“Students and scholars interested in the principia
of medieval masters of theology have been forced to hunt
for obscure articles and dissertations. Randall Smith has
done a wonderful service in placing much information and
analysis in one place. But Smith's work goes beyond
gathering resources. He capitalizes on the richness of the
texts he examines and provides something of a fresh entry
point into the world of medieval theology itself, through
two of its greatest figures. Hopefully this engaging study
will inspire further work on this most important genre.”
Catholic University of America “This remarkable volume provides an in-depth
comparative analysis of Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure. On
the one hand, the analysis illustrates that the sermo
modernus style and principia genre are indispensable in
interpreting the individual writings of both medieval
masters. On the other hand, their comparison reveals how
their systems and instructional intent differs. The
careful research and inviting prose makes this book an
invaluable resource for all who study the scholastic
culture of medieval Paris.”
“Smith escorts us into that medieval invention, the
university, where we meet Aquinas, ‘logician’, and
Bonaventure, ‘poet’. Their sermo modenus
style of preaching organized their inception discourses as
masters of theology and prologues to their commentaries on
scripture. Aquinas is no longer mere theologian, nor pure
philosopher, but the premier Christian
philosopher-theologian; and Bonaventure the most
sophisticated Christian writer after Augustine. So much
for the ‘dark ages’.”
Reviews: Lesley Smith, The
Thomist, vol, 86, no. 4 (October 2022):
681-684. G. R. Evans, New
Blackfriars, vol. 104, no. 1109 (January
2023): 121-122.
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