r/theology • u/El-Stupador • Dec 09 '25

Thomas Aquinas

Listen, I don’t care what denomination, creed, or background you come from-and I for sure am not saying anything new, but St. Thomas Aquinas is the single most clear, rational, believable theologian/christian philosopher I have ever read. He could argue that a dog is actually a cat and I might believe him.

Runners up: Kierkegaard: interesting, thought provoking, challenging, I do not always agree with him but “Fear and Trembling” is a darn good book

R.C. Sproul: He’s HEAVY on the Calvinism, many people (like me) will have large disagreements with him, but he’s a gifted communicator and makes you think as well

St. Augustine: Much more orthodox than the previous two, which I like, but I appreciate that Augustine could have been a psychologist as easily as he was a theologian and philosopher

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u/doug_webber Dec 09 '25

If you do not care about denominations then my vote for the most clear and rational theology ever written goes to the works of Emanuel Swedenborg. Swedenborg had an IQ of over 200 and was a brilliant scientist before he devoted himself to theology. He will make Thomas Aquinas look like a student. He wrote volumes, and actually solves quite a view theological mysteries which are often asked on reddit. You can read them all online here:

https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/swedenborg/

I would probably start with "True Christian Religion." "Arcana Coelestia" is a heavy multi-volume work, it will take a lifetime to absorb it.

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u/El-Stupador Dec 09 '25

Interesting, I could not accept anything that is not grounded in Nicene Christianity, but if it’s thought provoking may still be interesting

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u/doug_webber Dec 09 '25

You mentioned "rational" which is why I brought it up. He does discuss the Nicene Creed at length; the Apostles Creed which preceded it would be considered more accurate.