I recommend this book because it delivers timeless spiritual wisdom from one of the great thinkers of history. And Dr. Vost distills some of Aquinas’ key teachings into accessible advice for navigating the frustrations and complexities of the modern world with an eye toward the eternal.
When Dr. Vost released this 12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas, it immediately reminded me of Dr. Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life”. The difference is that Dr. Vost is harvesting classic teachings from the Angelic Doctor which immerse the reader in Thomistic teachings on applying key faith lessons in the modern world and in the modern believer. Whereas Dr. Peterson is bringing his experiences and teachings from clinical psychology to teach maturity and skill sets to help one cope with relationships and immersion in the chaotic modern world, Vost brings in the heaviest hitter of logic, faith and reason: St. Thomas Aquinas.
Vost sets a serious tone in his introduction, but lines up realistic goals. He’s not trying to teach us every Aquinas nugget (in that case, why not just go to the full Aquinas?), rather, he focuses on 12 principles of the Catholic Faith which can be inculcated to better virtue and faith practice. He sets out to pulverize sin, practice virtue, pray, and participate in the sacraments through the life lessons. As such, this is a book that will make you think as well as help you to pray. It’s not a devotional, but neither is it a “self help” book. It’s a book that provides perspective.
The book is organized with those goals in mind, with each chapter laying out one of the Life Lessons. While each lesson stands on its own, Vost deftly intertwines the principles without excessive repetition. The chapter titles are written to be easy to remember (e.g. “No Harmony, No Peace!” and “Get Jesus.”) rather than headier Thomistic language. Vost footnotes the more academic aspects of each chapter, but not to the point that I had to regularly look to the bottom of the page for clarity.
The thread of the book is carried well throughout. Dr. Vost’s easy style is conversational and provides a light touch to difficult ideas. Vost brings his knowledge of psychology to bear, for example, in describing personality influences in explaining sinful actions.
Each lesson is a chapter. Each has a similar structure, which lends itself to clarity. There is a pithy title, such as “Justice Begins at Home,” followed by a Thomistic quote, a question, such as: “How can we be just within an unjust society?” followed by an answer from St. Thomas. Then the chapter treats the matter fully, bringing historical and current thought into the realm of Thomistic logic and holiness. When appropriate, a Sacrament or prayer practice is recommended. Difficult topics are not ignored, but are explored within the map of the Summa. The chapter resolves by action steps and a Life Lesson Summa: a condensation of the main point of the lesson.
“How can we be just within an unjust society?”
Chapter 4 was one of my favorites. As an attorney, I am often confronted with the superficial notions of justice, and even the cheapening of the notions of justice in today’s world. It’s an unjust world, but we can sweeten it by practicing virtue in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our corner of the world, and give thanks to God for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a means to satisfy His holy justice.
My copy of 12 Life Lessons is marked up, underlined and noted throughout. Dr. Vost challenges us in each chapter and brings Thomas’ ideas forward to ask us tough questions. In the last chapter: “Out of the Church and into the World,” Vost (rightfully) takes the Church to task for its ham-fisted attempts to modernize in the last fifty years: modernity for modernity’s sake. Still while his critique is warranted, there is no doubt of Vost’s loyalty to the eternal truths found within the Church’s doors. Here again he points to the wisdom, logic and life of St. Thomas as a guide for reform. He ends the book as he began it, with a statement that loving God is the best lesson of all.
Go get this book and add it to your collection of practical, thought provoking, spiritually challenging books.
The Appendix was helpful. First, tables and matrixes were provided which delineated a principle, and then noted the corresponding resource that stated that principle. Or, made a side-by-side comparison of the laws of Moses and the laws of Jesus. Easy. Helpful. Vost also provides a key quote from each life lesson and list that in a table.
The second helpful feature was a memorization tool, in which each Life Lesson was placed in a memorable location in a virtual house, and a mental picture of the lesson was suggested. This memory method is used in several of Dr. Vost’s books. In fact, I made the suggestion to Dr. Vost that he should do this for each of the lessons, since I find this method helpful in recalling the major tenets of the book. So, for example to remember chapter 2, titled: “Focusing on Things That Matter the Most,” after you enter the house you see on the doormat a microscope which is focusing on a piece of matter. And then, for chapter 3., “No Harmony, No Peace!” you look through a glass panel next to the front door into the yard: you have no peace because a group in the front yard is singing without any harmony.