Through the Church Fathers

Through the Church Fathers

by C. Michael Patton

History Christianity

Season 2

Through the Church Fathers: April 12

A new episode of Through the Church Fathers explores how the early Church understood Christ through prophecy, conversion, and the nature of the human will. Justin Martyr draws together Old Testament prophecies that foretold both the suffering and the future glory of Christ, arguing that the events of Jesus’ life—His humiliation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—were predicted long before they occurred and therefore confirm the truth of the gospel. Augustine then gives us a deeply personal moment from The Confessions, describing his restless search for wisdom as he wrestles with doubt, ambition, and the pull of worldly life while beginning to rediscover the credibility of the Christian faith. Finally, Thomas Aquinas explains the relationship between intellect and will, showing that while the intellect perceives what is good, the will is the soul’s power that freely moves us toward that good. Together these readings move from prophecy, to personal conversion, to the inner structure of the human soul. Readings: Justin Martyr — First Apology, Chapters 50–52 Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 11 (Section 18) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 82, Article 1 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 #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Patristics #ChristianHistory #Theology #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: April 11

Podcast Summary Today’s readings move from prophecy to the inner life of the soul, tracing how God works both in history and within the human mind. In First Apology (Chapters 45–49), Justin Martyr argues that the life of Christ fulfilled ancient prophecy: the crucified Messiah now reigns at God’s right hand, the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to the nations, and the Gentiles—once strangers to the promises—have come to worship the true God. Yet prophecy does not eliminate human freedom; rather, God foreknows human choices and judges them justly. In Confessions Book 6, Chapter 10 (Section 17), Augustine of Hippo describes the friendship he shared with Nebridius and Alypius as the three of them wandered restlessly in search of truth, like beggars waiting for God to provide wisdom. Finally, in Summa Theologica Part 1, Question 79, Thomas Aquinas explains how the human mind comes to know truth: the possible intellect receives knowledge, while the agent intellect draws universal meaning from the images given by the senses. Together these readings show a single theme from three centuries of Christian thought—God revealing truth in prophecy, guiding seekers through friendship and struggle, and equipping the human intellect itself to rise from experience to understanding. Readings Justin Martyr — First Apology, Chapters 45–49 Augustine of Hippo — Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 10 (Section 17) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 79 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 #ChurchFathers #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Patristics #ChristianTheology #EarlyChristianity #ChurchHistory #FaithAndReason

Through the Church Fathers: April 10

Today’s readings move from prophecy to integrity to the nature of the human soul. Justin Martyr explains how the prophets foretold Christ’s crucifixion and reign, while also defending the reality of human freedom against fatalism. Augustine then reflects on the remarkable integrity of his friend Alypius, whose commitment to justice stood firm against both bribery and threats—reminding us that faithfulness in small things reveals the character of the soul. Finally, Thomas Aquinas explores the union of body and soul, arguing that the intellectual soul is the single form of the human body, that no separate souls exist within us, and that the whole soul is present throughout the entire body and in each of its parts. Together these readings connect prophecy, moral integrity, and philosophical theology in a unified reflection on truth, freedom, and the nature of the human person. Readings: Justin Martyr — The First Apology, Chapters 41–44 Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 10 Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 76 (Articles 1, 3, and 8 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 #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Patristics #ChristianTheology #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: April 9

Today’s readings bring together prophecy, providence, and the nature of the human soul. In First Apology, Justin Martyr explains that the prophets speak in different voices—sometimes the Father, sometimes the Son, sometimes direct prediction—because the Divine Word is the one ultimately speaking through them. This helps us understand how the Old Testament anticipates Christ even when many failed to recognize Him. Augustine then tells a striking story about his friend Alypius in The Confessions. Alypius is falsely accused of theft, yet Augustine sees the event as a kind of divine training—teaching him early not to judge people rashly or condemn them on suspicion alone. Finally, Aquinas considers whether the human soul is the same kind of being as an angel. He concludes that it is not. Angels know directly, while the human soul comes to knowledge through the senses because it is the form of a body. Yet both are ordered toward the same ultimate end: the knowledge and enjoyment of God. Together these readings remind us that God teaches through Scripture, through experience, and through careful reflection on the nature He has given us. Readings: Justin Martyr — First Apology (Chapters 36–40) | Augustine — Confessions (Book 6, Chapter 9, Section 15) | Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica (Part 1, Question 75, Article 7) 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 #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #EarlyChurch #ChristianHistory #Theology #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: April 8

Ancient prophecy, a moment of injustice, and a profound question about the nature of the soul all converge in today’s readings. Justin Martyr argues that the life of Christ was not an accident of history but the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy—from Moses and Isaiah to Micah and David—showing that Jesus’ birth, suffering, and kingship were foretold long before they occurred (Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Psalm 22:16). Augustine then recounts a striking episode from the life of his friend Alypius, who was mistakenly arrested as a thief, teaching an early lesson about the danger of rash judgment and the quiet ways God prepares a person through unexpected trials. Finally, Thomas Aquinas turns to the nature of the human soul, arguing that the soul is not a body but the form that gives life to the body, and that the human soul uniquely subsists because the act of understanding transcends bodily organs, unlike the powers of animals. Readings: Justin Martyr — First Apology, Chapters 32–35 Augustine of Hippo — Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 9 (Section 14) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 75 (Articles 1–3 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 #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ChurchFathers #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Patristics #ChurchHistory #ChristianTheology

Through the Church Fathers: April 7

A brutal picture of the ancient world, a warning about the corruption of the human heart, and a glimpse into the unseen conflict behind it all. In today’s readings, Justin Martyr confronts the Roman world with a shocking moral contrast—Christians refuse to expose infants, reject sexual exploitation, and ground their hope in the prophetic Scriptures that foretold Christ centuries before his birth. Augustine then recounts the haunting story of Alypius, who believed he could resist the lure of the gladiatorial games but was suddenly captured by the spectacle of bloodshed, a vivid reminder of how quickly curiosity can corrupt the soul when it trusts in its own strength instead of God. Finally, Thomas Aquinas explores the punishment of the fallen angels, explaining how the demons retain natural knowledge yet lose the light of grace, how their will is fixed permanently against God, and how their sorrow only deepens their rebellion while they operate within the world under divine restraint until the final judgment. Readings: Justin Martyr — First Apology, Chapters 27–31 Augustine of Hippo — Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 8 (Section 13) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 64 (Articles 1–4 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 #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ChurchHistory #EarlyChristianity #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #ChristianTheology #HistoricalTheology #Patristics

Through the Church Fathers: April 5

A striking theme runs through today’s readings: human authority, human temptation, and angelic rebellion all reveal the same deeper issue—the proper ordering of love and obedience under God. In The First Apology, Justin Martyr defends Christians before the Roman authorities, insisting that believers are not enemies of the state but model citizens who pay taxes, pray for rulers, and honor civil authority while reserving worship for God alone. At the same time, Justin argues boldly for the resurrection and eternal judgment, pointing out that even pagan philosophers and myths hint at truths Christians proclaim more clearly. Augustine then gives a personal glimpse into the subtle pull of worldly distractions through the story of his friend Alypius, a young man of great promise who was drawn into the frenzy of the circus games—an illustration of how cultural passions can quietly capture even virtuous minds. Finally, Thomas Aquinas explores the mysterious fall of the angels, explaining that demons were not created evil but became so through pride—the deliberate choice to seek greatness apart from God. Together these readings reveal a common thread: whether emperors, philosophers, young students, or even angels, every creature must choose whether to remain rightly ordered under God or to turn inward in pride. Readings: Justin Martyr — The First Apology, Chapters 17–21 Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 7 (Section 11) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 63 (Articles 1–6 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 #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #ChristianHistory #EarlyChurch #Theology

Through the Church Fathers: April 4

Justin Martyr reminds the Roman world that Christianity is not a secret cult but a life shaped directly by the teachings of Christ. In these chapters of The First Apology, Justin gathers Jesus’ own words—about purity of heart, love for enemies, generosity, patience under injustice, and truthful speech—to show that Christians are not rebels but people trying to live under a radically demanding moral vision (Matt. 5:28, Matt. 5:44, Matt. 5:34–37). The real test of Christianity, Justin says, is not what someone claims but whether their life reflects these teachings (Matt. 7:21). Augustine then turns the lens inward and confesses how easily our hearts chase empty glory. Watching a carefree beggar in Milan, he realized that his own ambitious pursuit of honor left him more restless than the poor man he envied—because joy detached from God is always unstable and fleeting (Eccl. 2:11). Aquinas finally lifts the discussion into the realm of angelic nature. Angels, he explains, possess intellect and therefore possess will; yet unlike humans they do not struggle through passions or slow reasoning. They see the good clearly and choose it immediately, their will following their intellect in a simple act of freedom. Taken together, these readings move from Christ’s ethical teaching, to Augustine’s examination of the restless human heart, to Aquinas’s reflection on the clarity of angelic choice—reminding us that true joy and true obedience begin not with outward appearance but with the orientation of the will toward the good. 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

Through the Church Fathers: April 3

Christians once stood accused of being enemies of society, but Justin Martyr flips the accusation on its head: the people who truly believe that God sees everything are actually the strongest allies of peace (Matt. 10:26; Heb. 4:13). In today’s readings, Justin argues before Roman rulers that Christians live under the constant awareness that nothing—whether action or intention—escapes the knowledge of God, and that this conviction leads not to rebellion but to moral restraint and virtue. Augustine then gives us a striking confession from his own life: while chasing honor and applause in Milan, he noticed a cheerful beggar who seemed happier than he was, exposing the misery of ambition apart from God (Eccl. 2:11). Finally, Aquinas lifts our eyes to the angels and explains that their knowledge is not like ours. Humans reason step by step, moving from premise to conclusion, but angels grasp many truths at once in a single intuitive act of understanding (1 Cor. 13:12). Together these readings show three levels of perspective: Justin calls us to live consciously before God’s all-seeing eye, Augustine exposes the emptiness of worldly happiness, and Aquinas reminds us that the human mind’s slow reasoning is only a shadow of the clearer vision that belongs to higher intelligences. 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 #JustinMartyr #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #EarlyChristianity #Patristics #ChristianTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: April 2

Justin Martyr challenges the Roman authorities to judge Christians by their actions rather than by the mere name they bear. He argues that justice demands investigation, not prejudice, because Christians are accused of crimes without evidence simply for confessing Christ. Their refusal to deny their faith—even under threat of death—reveals that they are not pursuing earthly power but eternal life with God. Justin also confronts the absurdity of idol worship, pointing out that objects crafted by immoral men cannot truly be divine. Christians reject these idols not because they are atheists but because they worship the one true Creator who needs no sacrifices made by human hands (Acts 17:24–25). Augustine then reflects on his own slow journey toward faith. Though he did not yet understand God’s nature or the path that leads to Him, he became convinced that human reason alone could not discover the truth and that the authority of Scripture must therefore come from God. What once seemed confusing in Scripture began to reveal deeper meaning when explained properly. Augustine marvels that the Bible speaks in simple language accessible to all while still containing profound mysteries that lead seekers toward God. Even in his wandering and uncertainty, he realizes that God had never abandoned him but was quietly guiding him all along (Psalm 119:105). Thomas Aquinas finally lifts our eyes to the invisible structure of creation by explaining the nature of angels. Because angels are immaterial beings, they cannot share a single species the way material creatures do; instead, each angel is its own unique species, representing a distinct level of intellectual perfection within God’s ordered universe. And since they are not composed of matter that can break apart, angels are naturally incorruptible. Their existence does not fade like material things but continues because God sustains them in being. The angelic world therefore forms a vast hierarchy of spiritual intelligences reflecting the wisdom of the Creator who made both the visible and invisible realms (Colossians 1:16). Readings: Justin Martyr — The First Apology, Chapters 7–11 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 5 (Section 8) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 50 (Articles 4–5 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

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