What are Neo-Scholasticism and Neo-Thomism?

Definition and Historical Roots

Neo-Scholasticism and Neo-Thomism refer to movements that arose primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries seeking to revitalize the medieval Scholastic tradition—especially the thought of Thomas Aquinas—for modern theological, philosophical, and educational settings. Scholasticism itself was the dominant method of academic theology in medieval Europe, emphasizing logical analysis, systematic organization of Christian doctrine, and the use of philosophical principles (especially Aristotelian) in the study of theology.

In 1879, Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclical “Aeterni Patris,” which exhorted Catholic scholars to return to the “golden wisdom” of Aquinas. This led to a renaissance of Thomistic thought that came to be known as Neo-Scholasticism or Neo-Thomism. Though initiated in Roman Catholic circles, aspects of this renewal found a wider audience among Protestant theologians and philosophers who also appreciated Aquinas’s methodical approach to integrating faith and reason.

Key Characteristics

1. Emphasis on Reason and Faith – Neo-Scholastic thinkers maintain that reason and revelation complement one another. They draw from Aquinas’s view that human reasoning, properly exercised, can uncover truths about the created order, while Scripture provides the revelation necessary for salvation and knowledge of God’s nature. As Scripture teaches, “Test all things. Hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

2. Systematic Organization of Doctrine – Similar to the medieval Scholastics, Neo-Scholastics strive for a coherent, hierarchical arrangement of Christian doctrine. They believe that biblical doctrines can be understood in an orderly fashion, reflecting the inherent rationality of God’s creation: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

3. Reverence for Classical Philosophy – Aristotle’s logic and metaphysics undergird much of Neo-Thomistic thought. Aquinas famously “Christianized” Aristotle’s framework, so Neo-Scholastics frequently see themselves as heirs of that legacy, reconciling biblical truth with philosophical insight.

4. Dialogue with Modernity – While thoroughly traditional in doctrine, Neo-Scholastics engage with contemporary issues—scientific, societal, and cultural—in a way that seeks to show the depth and coherence of classical Christian theology. Many hold that a systematic approach to philosophy and theology not only refines biblical argumentation but also interacts fruitfully with modern philosophical schools.

Thomas Aquinas: Foundational Influence

1. Summa Theologica and the Five Ways – Aquinas’s “Summa Theologica” provides one of the bedrocks of Scholastic methodology. The famous “Five Ways” argue rationally for the existence of God, appealing to causation, motion, contingency, gradation, and purpose within creation. Neo-Thomists readily adapt these arguments to contemporary discussions, underscoring how Scripture and natural revelation reveal a Creator who imbues the universe with purpose and meaning.

2. Synthesis of Theology and Philosophy – Aquinas’s systematic synthesis of faith and reason resonates strongly with Neo-Scholasticism, which teaches that the truths of revelation (e.g., John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word…”) and the truths of creation can be studied under distinct lenses yet converge harmoniously in God’s eternal truth.

Major Contributors

1. Ettienne Gilson and Jacques Maritain – These influential Catholic philosophers brought Thomistic thought into dialogue with modern philosophy and culture. Gilson highlighted the historical development of Christian philosophy, while Maritain focused extensively on sociopolitical and ethical implications of Thomism.

2. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange – A Dominican theologian who championed a pure Thomism, he critiqued modernist tendencies in theology, defending the perennial value of Aquinas as a touchstone for Roman Catholic dogma and philosophy.

3. Others in Protestant Traditions – Though the revival of Thomism took root primarily within Catholic institutions, Protestant thinkers sometimes engaged with Aquinas’s arguments for the existence of God or used Scholastic frameworks to articulate systematic theologies. They saw Aquinas’s robust view of reason as a way to affirm passages such as Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us reason together…”

Core Philosophical Underpinnings

1. Metaphysics – Neo-Thomism emphasizes the real distinction between essence and existence in created beings, an idea attributed to Aquinas’s engagement with Aristotle. This points to a transcendent Creator who alone possesses existence as part of His very essence (Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM”).

2. Epistemology – Knowledge arises from both natural reason and divine revelation. Neo-Scholastics maintain that the human mind is capable of grasping the form of created things and, by extension, reasoning inferentially toward the existence and attributes of God.

3. Ethics and Natural Law – Aquinas’s natural law theory holds that moral truths are grounded in God’s design for creation. Neo-Thomists preserve this outlook, teaching that moral laws flow from humanity’s inherent teleology. As Romans 2:14–15 observes, the law of God can be discerned even among those who do not have Scripture in hand.

Neo-Scholasticism in Educational and Ecclesial Contexts

Neo-Scholasticism shaped many seminaries and universities from the late 19th century onward, influencing the structure of theological training, the method of philosophical instruction, and the apologetic engagement with secular ideologies. Pedagogically, instructors often use Scholastic “disputations”—structured debates on key questions—to refine and sharpen theological reasoning.

This approach emphasizes comprehensiveness and clarity, leading many institutions to adopt manuals of theology that systematically walk through biblical and traditional doctrines, reflecting the alignment between systematic theology and thorough exegesis of Scripture.

Comparisons and Contrasts with Other Movements

1. Modernism – Neo-Scholasticism was, in part, a response to Modernism’s inclination to adapt or dilute Christian doctrine in the face of new societal and philosophical currents. Neo-Scholastics, while open to dialogue with modern thought, firmly anchor their conclusions in Scriptural authority and classical metaphysics.

2. Neo-Orthodoxy – Thinkers like Karl Barth distanced themselves from the Thomistic approach to natural theology. Neo-Scholastics, on the other hand, affirm the validity of reason and creation’s witness to God’s existence (Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands”).

3. Existentialist and Postmodern Thought – Where such schools emphasize human subjectivity and question absolutes, Neo-Scholastics assert objective truth rooted in God’s nature, revealed through Scripture and reason.

Scriptural Reflections

Although Neo-Scholasticism and Neo-Thomism are largely philosophical-theological frameworks, they remain grounded in the premise that Scriptural revelation is the highest authority. Within this framework, verses like 2 Timothy 3:16—“All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching…”—reinforce that even the most rigorous philosophy must submit to, and be enlightened by, biblical revelation.

Moreover, the interplay of reason and faith is often illustrated by passages that implore human beings to use their God-given intellects while fully depending on divine wisdom—Proverbs 2:6: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Neo-Scholasticism sees no conflict in employing systematic reasoning for the deeper exploration of doctrines such as the nature of God, Christ’s role in salvation, and the interplay of grace and works.

Influence on Contemporary Thought and Practice

Neo-Scholasticism and Neo-Thomism continue to inform theological discussions on:

• The integration of science and faith

• Ethical debates around bioethics, life issues, and moral law

• Philosophical arguments for the existence of God

• The compatibility of biblical truth with rational inquiry

Applicants of this renewed Scholastic method often find fresh ways to demonstrate God’s order in creation. Philosophers and theologians who follow Neo-Thomistic principles see in modern scientific discoveries—ranging from the fine-tuning of cosmic constants to the complexities of biological information—points of convergence with the classical argument for design and purpose in nature.

Conclusion of the Topical Entry

Neo-Scholasticism and Neo-Thomism stand as robust intellectual traditions that aim to preserve, clarify, and extend the legacy of medieval Scholasticism—chiefly, the work of Thomas Aquinas—into the modern era. They propose that a well-reasoned theology, rooted in Scripture and guided by properly employed philosophical tools, offers answers to existential, moral, and doctrinal questions relevant in every age. Their influence persists in various church traditions and academic institutions, continuing to shape scholarly discourse on the coherence of faith and reason, and reminding believers that “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).