I say that apostolic succession and sacramental continuity form the backbone of trustworthy practice: Tertullian presses the church’s registers and the unity of faith as proof against novelty; Augustine helps me see worship as a re-creation of heaven and earth in Christ, so baptism and Eucharist shape the soul; Aquinas connects inward ordering to outward acts so that right doctrine and right moral formation produce upright practice. (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Psalm 42:1; Matthew 28:19)

Readings:

Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 36–38

Augustine of Hippo, The Confessions, Book 11, Chapters 13–14

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Questions 19–20

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