The Thought of John Henry Newman

Sign up ($25 fee)More info

Course description:

The soon-to-be-beatified John Henry Cardinal Newman, 1801-1889, is considered by many to be the most important Catholic thinker of the modern period. His insights on conscience, the individuality of the person; on reasoning, on the dignity of the laity, and so on, anticipated and paved the way for the developments of 20th century Catholic thought. This year-long seminar course is an introduction to his life, writings, and major themes.

We have more on Newman on this page.

Readings by Newman:*

• Parochial and Plain Sermons (a selection)
• The Idea of a University
• Fifteen Sermons Preached before the University of Oxford (a selection)
• An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent
• An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine
• Some of his polemical writings, such as “The Tamworth Reading Room,” “Millman’s View of Christianity,” and “The Introduction of Rationalistic Principles into Revealed Religion.”

Recommended reading about Newman:

• Ian Kerr, John Henry Newman: A Biography
• John Henry Newman: Apologia Pro Vita Sua

* Most of Newman’s writings (and more) can be found online at: http://www.newmanreader.org

Jules van Schaijik received his MA and PhD from the International Academy of Philosophy in Liechtenstein.  While there, he took a course on John Henry Newman from John F. Crosby, which sparked a life-long, dedicated interest in Newman’s thought. His Master’s thesis compared Newman and Rudolf Otto on the relation between rational knowledge and religious experience in religion.  Dr. van Schaijik has taught in the Netherlands, Austria and the U.S. He and his wife, Katie, are co-founders of the Personalist Project.