Through the Church Fathers: May 17

Podcast DescriptionIn this episode we hear Theophilus of Antioch invite his pagan friend Autolycus to behold the one true God through the order and beauty of creation. He points to the regular seasons, the movement of the stars, the provision for all living things, and the instinct given to animals, showing that these works reveal God’s wisdom and providence. He then explains that we shall see God when we put on immortality and that faith is the foundation for all true knowledge. Theophilus contrasts this with the immoral myths of the pagan gods, exposing the emptiness of idolatry. Alongside Augustine’s account of consulting Simplicianus as he wrestled with how to live the Christian life, and Thomas Aquinas’s teaching on command as the act of reason that directs the will toward execution, these readings call us to move from admiration of God’s works to personal faith, cleansing, and obedient action.Today’s Readings: Theophilus of Antioch — To Autolycus, Book I (Chapters 6–9)Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 8, Chapter 1Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 17 (Articles 1–9 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