Aquinas KC
Come to Kansas City if you care about the common doctor for the common good
I love nothing more than visiting a city and wasting a day in an old, used bookstore. If I ever disappear and you cannot find me, you can bet that is where I am. I lost myself in a dusty bookstore recently and came across an old edition of C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity. I asked myself, Why has this book proved so enduring? He breaks every rule of publishing. For instance, he opens with abstract concepts, even utilizing natural theology to establish natural law across all religions. In the middle of his book, he spends a whole chapter on eternal generation, contemplating one of the most difficult mysteries of the faith.
Here is what a lot of people do not realize: to put forward sound doctrine and in a way that will ring true for ages to come, Lewis knows he must presuppose those First Principles that can make sense of reality, metaphysical principles that convey what is so true it is common sense.
I am not confident that the theological books hyped today will be around in seventy-five years. In fact, I am certain they will not. Among other reasons, one stands out: we do not care enough about the First Principles of metaphysics. Even when show interest, all too often the wrong reasons pollute all that is pure. For example, we have shown time and time again that we cannot resist the temptation to force these First principles to fit with modern philosophy and theology—somehow, someway.
What makes matters worse is that we are now living in a secular age, and we do not know how to give an answer to a culture that will no longer listen to someone throwing a Bible verse at them. I’ve said it before and it deserves repeating: we are not living in the first half of Acts 17 (the Bereans) but in the second half of Acts 17 (Athens).
In that light, the First Principles of Thomas Aquinas are more relevant than ever. Protestants and Catholics do not have to compromise their convictions to realize we need Aquinas’ First Principles to answer our secular age. The telos is not actually about looking at Aquinas (he would be the first to say, he is not the final cause!). Rather, it is about looking with Aquinas at reality to know that which is true.
To that end, I am excited to share some news: we are launching Aquinas KC! Once a year Aquinas KC will gather in Kansas City around Aquinas as our common doctor to answer the most difficult challenges we are facing. Our inaugural conference is on October 17th, 2026, at Donnelly College. The topic: The Happy Life—Human Flourishing and the Search for God. I will deliver a message and so will Dominic Legge, OP., one of today’s great theologians.
There are lots of people excited about this fresh endeavor. Endorsements include Michael Bird, Thomas Joseph White, Chris Holmes, Rowan Williams, Graham Tomlin, Gerald McDermott, Anna Halpine, Sr. Teresa Obolevitch, Nicky Gumbel, and more.
Not only can you join us this October, but did you know that you can also present a paper? Students and scholars are welcome to submit a proposal to present at a breakout.
You can follow Aquinas KC on X and on Instagram as well.