Introduction to Athanagoras: A Plea for the Christians

Podcast DescriptionIn this episode we step into the late second century with Theophilus of Antioch as he writes a personal and reasoned defense of the Christian faith to his pagan friend Autolycus. Theophilus shows that Moses and the Hebrew prophets are far older than Homer and the Greek poets, contrasts the absurdities of pagan mythology with the coherent account of creation in Scripture, and demonstrates the moral and historical superiority of Christian teaching. Alongside Augustine’s account of moving from proud philosophical speculation to humble embrace of Christ the Mediator, and Thomas Aquinas’s explanation of consent as the will’s approval of the means proposed by reason, these readings invite us to consider the reliability of God’s Word and the ordered freedom of the human will in responding to truth.Today’s Readings: Theophilus of Antioch — To Autolycus, Books 1–3 (excerpts from the full work)Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 7, Chapter 20 (Section 26)Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 15 (Articles 1–4 Combined)Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.comPatreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpattonCredo Courses – https://www.credocourses.comCredo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org