Through the Church Fathers

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
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#RuleOfFaith #Justice #Truth #Tertullian #Augustine #Aquinas #ThroughTheChurchFathers

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

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

Podcast Description
Thank you for walking with us through the Church Fathers this past year. Your presence, your questions, and your support have made this work possible. In the coming year we turn to some of the great commentaries of Church history—those careful, patient expositions of Scripture that formed the minds and hearts of generations of believers. I would love to hear your thoughts as we begin this next stretch of the journey. You can share your opinions, ask questions, and help carry the work forward through the links below.
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 #BiblicalCommentaries #ChristianHistory #Patristics

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
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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