Through the Church Fathers

Today’s Readings Podcast Description
How carefully must the Church confess the unity of Christ’s Person from the very moment of His conception? In these chapters of the Commonitory, Vincent of Lérins defends the title Theotokos—Mother of God—and sets the Catholic faith against the errors of Photinus, Apollinaris, and Nestorius. He then turns to the sobering example of Origen, whose extraordinary gifts became a great trial for the Church when novelty entered through a trusted teacher. Alongside him, Augustine contemplates the eternal present of God that stands above all time, and Aquinas examines the vice of lust and its various species that disorder the sexual appetite against the rule of reason.
Readings:
Vincent of Lérins — The Commonitory, Chapters 15–17 (Sections 40–45)
Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 13 (Section 16)
Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 153–154 (Lust and Its Species)
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Today’s Readings Podcast Description
How does the Church confess one Christ in two natures without falling into the errors that divide Him or diminish Him? In these chapters of the Commonitory, Vincent of Lérins carefully sets forth the Catholic faith against Photinus, Apollinaris, and Nestorius, showing that the Church worships one Godhead in the Trinity and confesses one Christ who is truly God and truly man. Alongside him, Augustine contemplates the eternal present of God that stands above all time, and Aquinas teaches the virtues of chastity and virginity that order the strongest of the bodily desires under the rule of reason and for the sake of God.
Readings:
Vincent of Lérins — The Commonitory, Chapters 12–14 (Sections 32–39)
Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 13 (Section 16)
Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 151–152 (Chastity and Virginity)
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Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
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Today’s Readings Podcast Description
Paul’s warning still stands for every age: if anyone preaches a gospel other than the one already received, let him be accursed. In these chapters of the Commonitory, Vincent of Lérins presses the point home—neither time, nor place, nor the reputation of a teacher can justify altering the faith once delivered. He shows why God sometimes permits even distinguished men to introduce novelty: so that the love of His people may be tested. Alongside him, Augustine answers the question of what God was doing before creation by reminding us that time itself is a creature, and Aquinas teaches the virtue of sobriety that keeps the mind clear under the rule of reason.
Readings:
Vincent of Lérins — The Commonitory, Chapters 9–11 (Sections 24–31)
Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 13 (Section 15)
Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 149–150 (Sobriety and Drunkenness)
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Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
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#ThroughTheChurchFathers #VincentOfLerins #Commonitorium #Augustine #Confessions #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #RuleOfFaith #Sobriety

Today’s Readings Podcast Description
When novelty rises in the Church, what must we do? Vincent of Lérins shows us the steadfast example of Pope Stephen, who answered the push for rebaptism with a simple rule: “Let there be no innovation—only what has been handed down.” In these chapters he defends the ancient faith against the danger of new teachings, warning that even gifted and persuasive error must fall when it departs from what the Church has always received. Alongside him, Augustine refuses the mocking answer to the question of what God was doing before creation, and Aquinas teaches us how abstinence, fasting, and the vice of gluttony order the desires of the body under the rule of reason.
Readings:
Vincent of Lérins — The Commonitory, Chapters 6–8 (Sections 15–22)
Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 12 (Section 14)
Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 146–148 (Abstinence, Fasting, and Gluttony)
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Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
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Today’s Readings Podcast Description
How do we hold the faith when new teachings press in from every side? Vincent of Lérins gives us a clear and enduring rule: what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all. In these opening chapters of the Commonitory, he shows why Scripture must be read with the Church, why novelty is dangerous, and how the ancient faith once rescued the Church from the storm of Arianism. Alongside him, Augustine lifts our eyes to the eternity of God that stands outside of time, and Aquinas teaches us how shamefacedness and honesty guard the beauty of a temperate life.
Readings:
Vincent of Lérins — The Commonitory, Chapters 1–5 (Sections 1–14)
Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 11 (Section 13)
Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Questions 144–145 (Shamefacedness and Honesty)
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
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Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #VincentOfLerins #Commonitorium #Augustine #Confessions #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #RuleOfFaith #Temperance