Through the Church Fathers: Octob...
Through the Church Fathers: October 11

Through the Church Fathers by C. Michael Patton

Episode notes

These three readings together give a disciplined curriculum for sanctification: the Apostolic Tradition shows how the church forms bodies and habits — fasting, orderly hospitality, hourly prayer, catechesis, and charitable care — so that the community’s external rhythms cultivate inward stability and readiness for sacrament and service; Augustine’s reflection on angels and the “unchangeable light” reminds us that true knowledge of God is ultimately experienced by a transforming love that makes the soul thirsty for what is eternal rather than satisfied with temporal goods; and Aquinas (Q24) teaches how the passions — concupiscible and irascible — are morally neutral movements that become virtuous only when reason and right intention order them toward the true good. Put simply: liturgical formation trains the body, Augustine awakens the he ... 

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Keywords
Apostolic FathersThomas AquinasSumma TheologicaScholasticismThrough the Church Fathers in a YearAugustineConfessionsC Michael PattonCredo HouseTheologyPatristicsEarly ChurchChurch HistoryHippolytusApostolic Tradition