Aquinas, Francis, Duns Scotus

All philosophers, theologians, and intellectuals desire to make sense of this world and its lifetime, in some form or facet, implicitly or explicitly. Influential thinkers or writers interact in some fashion with the work of contemporaries (present or before them) -- to expand, oppose, and/or innovate new forms of knowledge. For Aquinas, Francis, and Duns Scotus, I would argue that it was not only necessary but good for them to incorporate concepts from Plato and Aristotle into Christian thought. Through Plato and Aristotle's influence, they develop thought that inclines one to God, not away from him.

Thomas Aquinas
Aquinas developed Aristotle's metaphysics and knowledge when many theologians were either altogether rejecting Aristotle's work or contrarily embracing his philosophy while repudiating Christian doctrines (Hill, 153). An example is in Aristotle's emphasized activity, moving from potentiality to actuality; humanity is always in motion -- Aquinas later adapted this thinking to say that we must always be active, moving towards God (Aquinas, 13). For Aquinas to interact with the philosophy of Aristotle and adapt it in a way that glorifies God was brilliantly profound.

St. Francis of Assisi

Contrarily, Francis did not desire to engage with the philosophies and writings of Aristotle and Plato in the way Aquinas did. Francis instead wanted to "purge" the human thought of the day and "return to nature," the innocence and delight of the world around us (Chesterton, 32, 39). Though Francis emerges with his form of thinking, seeking to advance Christianity independently. He is still reacting and responding to his contemporaries before him; it is unavoidable. Francis was embraced as a refreshing way to escape modern philosophical and scientific discoveries. Therefore, Francis did engage with the thoughts of Plato and Aristotle, but differently, as it was necessary in that time and place.

Duns Scotus

As a realist, Duns Scotus' notion was to "preserve the objectivity of science" (Teel, 108) while holding to a Christian ontology. This stance was innovative and impressive as he was able to study and develop Plato's philosophy in tandem with Scripture. Many theologians and Christians can be afraid or hesitant to engage with secular thinking, specifically modern science. We must be reminded of essential doctrines of the faith that God is above time and space; he created the universe (Genesis 1). With this understanding, all other sciences or truths discovered will always have a way, either as-is or adapted, of pointing to the fact of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 34:4-5, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." 

For Aquinas, Francis, and Duns Scotus, their primary aim was to glorify God through their thinking. They did not shy away from the secular thought of their day; instead, they used their intellect and forms of knowledge developed to advance the gospel and lead secular thinkers to Christ. Their engagement with Plato and Aristotle was good.