Through the Church Fathers

Through the Church Fathers

by C. Michael Patton

History Christianity

Season 2

Through the Church Fathers: August 21

Podcast Summary What does it mean to promise something to God? In today’s reading, Tertullian warns that heresy begins when people reshape Scripture to fit their own ideas rather than submitting themselves to the faith once delivered by the apostles. He argues that false teachers either cut away parts of Scripture or twist its meaning, creating doctrines that depart from the truth while still claiming biblical authority. Augustine then reflects on the struggle against excess and appetite, confessing that even ordinary necessities can become occasions for temptation. Yet he finds hope in God's grace, concluding with his famous prayer: “Give what you command, and command what you will.” Finally, Aquinas examines the nature of vows, teaching that a vow is a promise made directly to God concerning a good work. Such vows do not create virtue, but they strengthen the will toward virtue by binding us more firmly to the good. Together, these readings remind us that truth, self-control, and faithful commitment all depend ultimately upon the grace of God, who both commands and supplies the strength to obey. Today's Readings Tertullian — The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 38–41 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 31 (Section 45) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 88, 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #ChurchFathers #ThroughTheChurchFathers #Patristics #ChristianHistory #HistoricalTheology #Theology #ChristianDiscipleship #Heresy #Scripture #Grace #SelfControl #Vows #Confessions #SummaTheologica #EarlyChurch #CredoMinistries #ChurchHistory

Through the Church Fathers: August 20

Today's readings revolve around a common theme: recognizing what truly belongs to God. Tertullian argues that truth is not discovered through novelty but received through faithful transmission. The apostles handed the faith to the Church, and the Church preserved it through the regula fidei—the rule of faith. Heresies, however persuasive they may appear, ultimately reveal themselves by departing from that apostolic inheritance. Augustine brings the discussion into the heart, confessing how even something as necessary as food can become a subtle temptation. The struggle is not against eating itself but against the soul's tendency to disguise pleasure as necessity. Aquinas then turns to offerings and tithes, teaching that God does not need our gifts, but we need the act of giving. Through offerings, believers acknowledge that everything they possess comes from God's hand and belongs ultimately to Him. Together these readings remind us that faithfulness involves rightly ordering both doctrine and desire—receiving the truth handed down by God, disciplining the heart's affections, and gratefully returning to Him a portion of what He has entrusted to us. Today's Readings Tertullian — The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 35–37 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 31 (Section 44) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Questions 86–87 — Oblations, First Fruits, and Tithes (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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #ChurchHistory #Patristics #HistoricalTheology #ChristianDiscipleship #RuleOfFaith #RegulaFidei #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #Tithes #Offerings #ChristianGiving #ApostolicTradition #EarlyChurch #ChristianFormation #Theology #CredoMinistries

Through the Church Fathers: August 18

Today’s readings center on the battle for truth, purity, and rightly ordered desire. Tertullian argues that truth always comes before its counterfeit, reminding us that the apostolic faith existed long before the later innovations of the heretics and that every false doctrine is ultimately a corruption of something first delivered by Christ and His apostles. Augustine turns inward, confessing his continuing struggle with sinful desires and praying that God would so heal his soul that even the temptations of dreams would lose their power. Aquinas then concludes his treatment of prayer by showing that Christ not only taught us to pray, but taught us what to desire. The Lord’s Prayer orders our hearts toward God first and ourselves second, teaching us that the deepest purpose of prayer is not merely to receive gifts but to be formed into people who desire the right things in the right order. Together these readings remind us that truth comes from God, holiness comes from God, and even our desires must ultimately be directed back to God. Today's Readings Tertullian — The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 29–31 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 30 (Section 42) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 83 — Prayer (Articles 9–17 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Prayer #LordsPrayer #ChurchHistory #Patristics #HistoricalTheology #ChristianDiscipleship #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #EarlyChurch #ChristianFormation #Theology #AncientFaith #ChristianHistory #CredoMinistries #CredoCourses #DailyReading

Through the Church Fathers: August 17

Today's readings explore three different aspects of the Christian life that ultimately converge in the same place: dependence upon God. Tertullian defends the public and apostolic nature of the Christian faith, arguing that the apostles concealed no secret doctrine but openly delivered the truth to the whole Church. Augustine reflects on the troubling persistence of sinful images in dreams, wrestling with the mystery of temptation, conscience, and human weakness even after conversion. Aquinas then turns to prayer itself, explaining how God has ordained prayer as a means by which His people participate in His providence—not to change His will, but to draw near to Him and receive His gifts according to His wisdom. Together, these readings remind us that God has openly revealed His truth, patiently sanctifies His people, and graciously invites them into fellowship through prayer. Today's Readings Tertullian — The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 25–28 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 30 (Section 41) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 83 — Prayer (Articles 1–8 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Prayer #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #Patristics #ChurchHistory #HistoricalTheology #ChristianDiscipleship #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoHouse #CredoMinistries #ChristianFormation #EarlyChurch #Theology #ChristianHistory #AncientFaith #DailyReading

Through the Church Fathers: August 15

The apostles did not hand down a hidden gospel, Augustine confesses that the entire human life is a battlefield of temptation, and Aquinas explains that true devotion is not merely emotion but the willing offering of oneself to God. In Tertullian’s Prescription Against Heretics, the unity of apostolic doctrine is defended against those who claimed secret teachings beyond the public faith once delivered to the Church. Augustine’s Confessions reveals the restless struggle of the soul caught between joy and sorrow, prosperity and adversity, crying out to God for mercy and grace. Aquinas then brings these themes together by showing that devotion grows through meditation upon God’s goodness and through humble recognition of our own weakness. Together these readings remind us that Christianity is not sustained by hidden revelations, passing emotions, or outward performance, but by steadfast trust in the God who commands, heals, and sustains His people through every trial. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 23–25 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapters 28–29 (Sections 39–40) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 82 (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 #ChurchFathers #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Patristics #ChristianHistory #HistoricalTheology #Devotion #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: August 15

Podcast Description What is the sure foundation of Christian truth, and how should we rightly worship God? Today we hear three voices from the Church’s history speak with clarity and power. Tertullian insists that the apostles faithfully transmitted one unchanging rule of faith through the churches they founded, and that all doctrine must be tested against this apostolic tradition. Augustine pours out his heart in wonder at the late but sweet discovery of God, who was always within him while he searched without. Thomas Aquinas defines religion as the virtue by which man offers due worship and reverence to God — not as equal repayment, but as humble acknowledgment of the One from whom all things come. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 19–22 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 27 (Section 38) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 81 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 #RuleOfFaith #TrueWorship #ApostolicTradition #Tertullian #Augustine #Aquinas #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: August 14

Podcast Description What is the proper limit of seeking after truth, and how do we live justly before God and neighbor? Today we hear three voices address the dangers of restless curiosity, the joy of resting in God’s presence, and the full demands of justice that go beyond merely avoiding evil. Tertullian warns that endless seeking outside the rule of faith leads to heresy and spiritual confusion. Augustine rejoices that God dwells in his memory and is found whenever he is called to mind. Thomas Aquinas shows that true justice requires not only refraining from harm but willingly rendering to God and neighbor what is rightly due through fairness, gratitude, and mercy. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 14–18 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 25 (Section 36) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 79–80 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 #RuleOfFaith #Justice #Truth #Tertullian #Augustine #Aquinas #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: August 13

Tertullian argues that Christians must not wander endlessly through speculation and novelty, but must seek the truth until they find what Christ and the apostles taught and then hold fast to it. He fiercely rejects the idea that philosophy or endless inquiry should reshape the faith, insisting instead that the “rule of faith” delivered by the Church is fixed and sufficient. Augustine then turns inward, searching through the depths of memory for God, only to discover that God transcends every image, emotion, and faculty of the mind itself while still graciously dwelling within memory from the moment He was first known. Finally, Aquinas explores justice in commerce, condemning fraud, hidden deceit, and usury while defending honest trade ordered toward the common good. Together, these readings examine truth, faithfulness, memory, commerce, and the danger of turning human desire, curiosity, or greed into substitutes for the simplicity and justice of God. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics Chapters 10–13 Augustine — The Confessions Book 10, Chapter 25 (Section 36) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica Part 2–2, Questions 77–78 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #ChurchFathers #PrescriptionAgainstHeretics #Confessions #SummaTheologica #ChristianTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: August 12

Tertullian launches a fierce attack against the philosophical roots of heresy, arguing that pagan speculation and endless curiosity corrupt the simplicity of apostolic Christianity. He asks the famous question, “What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” and insists that believers must seek the truth until they find Christ and then hold fast to what has been delivered rather than endlessly chasing novelty and speculation. Augustine then reflects on memory and truth, confessing that wherever he found truth, there he found God Himself, because God is Truth itself and dwells continually within the memory of the believer. Finally, Aquinas examines the destructive power of sinful speech, warning that tale-bearing, derision, and malicious cursing wound charity by dividing friendships, spreading contempt, and quietly destroying trust within human community. Together, these readings explore truth, false teaching, memory, charity, and the danger of words that corrupt the unity of the Church and of human fellowship. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics Chapters 7–9 Augustine — The Confessions Book 10, Chapter 24 (Section 35) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica Part 2–2, Questions 74–76 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #ChurchFathers #PrescriptionAgainstHeretics #Confessions #SummaTheologica #ChristianTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Through the Church Fathers: August 11

Podcast Description In a world quick to speak and slow to listen, three voices from the early Church and medieval period confront the dangers of false teaching, the human love of deception, and the destructive power of sinful speech. Today we explore how heresies divide the Church, why people resist truth even while craving happiness, and why careless words—especially reviling and backbiting—can inflict wounds deeper than any sword. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 4–6 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 23 (Section 34) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 72–73 --- 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 #Heresy #TruthAndDeception #SinsOfSpeech #Backbiting #Tertullian #Augustine #Aquinas #ThroughTheChurchFathers

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