Through the Church Fathers: September 27

Theme: How truth resists counterfeit wisdom and the will must be ordered to the good. In these readings we face three related dangers and remedies: Tertullian shows how pagan philosophy supplies the raw materials for heresy, turning speculative systems into counterfeit gospels and seducing curious minds with dialectical sleights; Augustine responds theologically by reminding us that all things come from the plenitude of God’s goodness—creation is not a patch to fill God’s lack but a gift to be converted toward the fountain of life; Aquinas then brings this home practically by showing how the will’s intention must be rightly formed by the intellect so that our actions cohere toward true ends. Read together they warn: refuse the temptation to graft speculative systems onto the apostolic faith; receive instead the Scriptural light that locates all created goods in their dependence on God; and let the intellect and will collaborate so that our choices aim at rightly ordered enjoyment of the good rather than at private curiosity or prestige. These readings press a single pastoral conclusion — guard the deposit of faith, pursue illumination, and order your loves so that delight follows possession of what is truly good. (Matt. 7:15; Col. 2:8; Gen. 1:3; Ps. 36:9; Phil. 3:14)• Readings: Tertullian, De Praescriptione Haereticorum, Chapters 7–8• Augustine, The Confessions, Book 11, Chapter 4 (All things created by the grace of God)• Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 12 (Of Intention)• 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 #Confessions #SummaTheologica #Heresy #Intention #Creation