Through the Church Fathers

Through the Church Fathers

por C. Michael Patton

Historia Cristianismo

Temporada 2

Through the Church Fathers: September 22

Today’s Readings Podcast Description Temperance is the virtue that keeps the strongest bodily desires under the rule of reason. In these questions from Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica, he shows why the pleasures of food, drink, and sexual union need a special virtue to moderate them. Temperance is a cardinal virtue because these desires most powerfully resist the good of the soul. Intemperance exceeds the measure of reason; insensibility falls short of it. The virtue itself is one, yet it has many parts—shame and honesty, abstinence and chastity, and other related strengths—by which the whole life of desire is ordered according to reason. Readings: Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 141–143 (Temperance, the Vices Opposed to It, and Its Parts) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #Temperance #Virtue #CardinalVirtues

Through the Church Fathers: September 21

Today’s Readings Podcast Description Temperance is the virtue that keeps the strongest bodily desires under the rule of reason. In this question from Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica, he shows why the pleasures of food, drink, and sexual union need a special virtue to moderate them. Temperance is a cardinal virtue because these desires most powerfully resist the good of the soul. It does not destroy desire, but holds it within the measure that reason determines, so that the soul remains free for higher goods. Readings: Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 141 (Temperance) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #Temperance #Virtue #CardinalVirtues

Through the Church Fathers: September 20

Today’s Readings Podcast Description The Christian life requires more than a good beginning. In these questions from Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica, he shows how patience preserves the soul under present hardship, how perseverance carries a good work to its proper end, and how the gift of fortitude strengthens us beyond ordinary human measure by the Holy Spirit. Softness abandons the work too soon; stubbornness refuses to yield when reason requires change. The precepts of fortitude command us to stand firm in the truth and to endure to the end. Together these virtues and the Spirit’s gift keep the soul steady until the work is finished. Readings: Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 136–140 (Patience, Perseverance, the Gift of Fortitude, and the Precepts of Fortitude) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #Patience #Perseverance #Fortitude #Virtue

Through the Church Fathers: September 19

Today’s Readings Podcast Description Patience and perseverance strengthen the soul for the long work of the Christian life. In these questions from Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica, he shows that patience preserves us from being disordered by present hardship, while perseverance enables us to continue a good work until it is rightly completed. Softness abandons the task too soon; stubbornness refuses to yield when reason requires a change. Together these virtues keep the soul steady under both suffering and the passage of time. Readings: Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 136–137 (Patience and Perseverance) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #Patience #Perseverance #Virtue

Through the Church Fathers: September 18

Vindication, the eternal Word, and the wise use of great resources come together in today’s readings. Athanasius presents further evidence that the charges against him had collapsed: Constantine condemns the Meletians for accusing him of murdering men who were still alive, Arsenius seeks peace and communion with the Catholic Church, and John is praised for abandoning division and reconciling with Athanasius. Augustine then reflects on the coeternal Word through whom God speaks all things at once and forever, while the created things brought forth by that Word arise in time rather than sharing God’s eternity. Aquinas closes by explaining magnificence as the virtue that completes great works through expenditure proportionate to their worth, while meanness damages those works by making the saving of money more important than their proper completion. Together, these readings show that truth brings hidden schemes into the light, creation rests in the eternal Word, and great works require both generosity and judgment. Today’s Readings: Athanasius — Defense Against the Arians, Part 2, Chapter 5, Sections 68–70 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 7 (Section 9) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 134–135 (Questions Combined) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Athanasius #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #EternalWord #Creation #Magnificence #ChristianVirtue #ChurchHistory #ChristianTheology

Through the Church Fathers: September 17

Here is the podcast description for the latest three readings: False testimony, the mystery of creation, and the danger of distorted greatness come together in today’s readings. Athanasius records how Ischyras admitted that the accusations against him had been forced and fabricated, while the supposed murder victim Arsenius was eventually discovered alive, exposing the conspiracy and disgracing those who had spread the charge. Augustine then asks how God created the world, concluding that creation did not come through a temporary, passing sound, but through the eternal Word who remains forever. Aquinas closes by examining the vices surrounding magnanimity: presumption reaches beyond one’s true capacity, ambition seeks honor wrongly, vainglory lives for empty praise, and pusillanimity refuses the great good one is genuinely equipped to accomplish. Together, these readings show that truth outlasts slander, creation rests in the eternal Word, and genuine greatness requires an honest judgment of both our limits and our gifts. Today’s Readings: Athanasius — Defense Against the Arians, Part 2, Chapter 5, Sections 64–67 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 6 (Section 8) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 130–133 (Questions Combined) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Athanasius #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Creation #EternalWord #Magnanimity #Vainglory #ChurchHistory #ChristianTheology

Through the Church Fathers: September 16

False accusations, creation, and greatness of soul come together in today’s readings. Athanasius recounts how Eusebius and the Meletians manufactured charges against him, only to see those accusations collapse before Constantine, who then condemned factionalism, envy, and ambition within the Church while affirming Athanasius as a man of God. Augustine turns to the mystery of creation and asks how God made heaven and earth, concluding that God did not work from preexisting matter or within an already existing place, but spoke all things into being through His eternal Word. Aquinas then explains the virtues connected to fortitude, especially magnanimity—the greatness of soul by which a person truthfully recognizes God-given ability and undertakes great works without falling into pride, presumption, or false humility. Together, these readings show how envy tears down, divine power creates from nothing, and true greatness faithfully uses what God has given. Today’s Readings: Athanasius — Defense Against the Arians, Part 2, Chapter 5, Sections 60–62 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 5 (Section 7) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 128–129 (Questions Combined) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Athanasius #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Creation #Magnanimity #Fortitude #Arianism #ChurchHistory #ChristianTheology

Through the Church Fathers: September 15

False accusations, the search for truth, and the discipline of courage come together in today’s readings. Athanasius preserves the remarkable recantation of Ursacius and Valens, who admit that their charges against him were fabricated, renounce Arianism, and seek communion with the man they had helped condemn. He then begins tracing the controversy back to its roots in the Meletian schism and the alliance formed between the Meletians and the Arian party. Augustine turns to the opening words of Genesis and asks how he can know that Moses spoke truth, concluding that eternal Truth speaks inwardly beyond Hebrew, Greek, or Latin, while heaven and earth themselves testify that they were created by God. Aquinas then explains how fortitude governs both fear and daring, avoiding not only cowardice but also foolish fearlessness and reckless boldness. Together, these readings remind us that truth may be distorted by conspiracy, discovered through divine illumination, and defended only when fear and confidence are both ruled by reason. Today’s Readings: Athanasius — Defense Against the Arians, The Recantation of Ursacius and Valens; Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 59 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapters 3–4 (Sections 5–6) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 125–127 (Questions Combined) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Athanasius #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Arianism #Genesis #Creation #Fortitude #ChristianCourage #ChurchHistory

Through the Church Fathers: September 14

Restoration, desire, and faithful witness stand at the center of today’s readings. Athanasius recounts the imperial and ecclesiastical acts that restored him to Alexandria, erased the decrees issued against him, reunited him with the Church, and even brought former accusers to repentance. Augustine prays that the hidden things of Scripture may be opened to him, declaring that his deepest desire is not for earthly wealth, honor, or pleasure, but to seek Christ in the books of Moses and throughout the Word of God. Aquinas then presents martyrdom as the highest act of fortitude: faith supplies the truth confessed, charity gives the motive to endure, and courage keeps the believer steadfast even when that witness is sealed by death. Together, these readings show that truth may be opposed for a time, but it must still be sought, defended, and confessed without surrender. Today’s Readings: Athanasius — Defense Against the Arians, Chapter 4, Sections 54–58 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 2 (Section 4) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 124 (Articles 1–5 Combined) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Athanasius #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Martyrdom #Fortitude #Confessions #CouncilOfSardica #ChristianCourage #ChurchHistory

Through the Church Fathers: September 13

Exile, longing, and courage come together in today’s readings. Athanasius recounts the imperial letters that finally summoned him home after persecution and exile, followed by Julius of Rome’s joyful announcement to the church at Alexandria that their bishop was returning vindicated by the judgment of the council. Augustine then prays for time, purity, and humility as he turns to the hidden depths of Scripture, asking God to keep him from being deceived in the text or deceiving others through it. Aquinas closes the reading by defining fortitude as the virtue that keeps a person faithful to reason and the good even under fear, suffering, and the threat of death. Together, these readings show that truth must be endured, Scripture must be approached with reverence, and courage is not the absence of fear but steadfastness in the face of it. Today’s Readings: Athanasius — Defense Against the Arians, Chapter 4, Sections 51–53 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 2 (Sections 2–3) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 123 (Articles 1–12 Combined) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Athanasius #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Fortitude #ChristianCourage #Confessions #Scripture #ChurchHistory #ChristianTheology

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