Through the Church Fathers: May 31

Podcast DescriptionIn this episode we see the prophets calling God’s people to holiness while a restless heart wrestles with its own delay. Theophilus of Antioch urges us to examine the prophets, who consistently taught one God, the rejection of idolatry, and a moral life that leads to eternal reward. He shows how the prophets—simple shepherds and uneducated men—spoke with one voice about creation, the unity of God, and the folly of idols.Augustine continues his intense inner struggle. Listening to the story of radical conversion, he confronts his own long delay in surrendering to God. At thirty-two years old he still begged for chastity “but not yet,” afraid that God might answer too quickly and take away the sins he still wanted to enjoy.Thomas Aquinas explores the causes of pleasure, explaining that true delight comes from the presence and recognition of a good that fits our nature, especially when we are actively engaged in what is proper to us.Together these readings confront us with the call to holiness, the danger of delay, and the deep joy that comes when the soul rests in what is truly good.Today’s Readings: Theophilus of Antioch — Theophilus to Autolycus, Book 2, Chapters 34–36 Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 8, Chapter 7 (Sections 17–18) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 32 (Articles 1–8 Combined)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 #TheophilusOfAntioch #AugustineConfessions #ThomasAquinas #Holiness #InnerStruggle #PleasureAndJoy #EarlyChurchFathers