Through the Church Fathers: July 16

Today’s readings move from the boundaries of the Church to the inward life of the soul. Cyprian’s Epistle 70 argues that baptism is one because the Church is one, insisting that those who come from heresy do not bring sacramental life from outside the Church, but must receive it where grace and truth are found. Augustine begins Book 10 of The Confessions with a new kind of confession, asking God to know Him as he is known and placing his hope and sober joy in God alone. Aquinas continues the section on charity by asking where charity exists, how it grows, and how it can be lost, teaching that charity is poured into the will by the Holy Spirit, grows as the soul clings more firmly to God, and is destroyed when the will turns away from God as its final end. Together, these readings call us to unity in the truth, honesty before God, and a love that must be guarded, strengthened, and kept alive.Today’s Readings:Cyprian — Epistle 70: To Quintus, Concerning the Baptism of HereticsAugustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 1 (Section 1)Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 24 (Articles 1–12 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#ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Baptism #Charity #ThroughTheChurchFathers