Through the Church Fathers

C. Michael Patton
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Daily

Join Through the Church Fathers, a year-long journey into the writings of the early Church Fathers, thoughtfully curated by C. Michael Patton. Each episode features daily readings from key figures like Clement, Augustine, and Aquinas, accompanied by insightful commentary to help you engage with the foundational truths of the Christian faith. Join Our Community: Read along and engage with others on this journey through the Church Fathers. Visit our website. Support the Podcast: Help sustain this work and gain access to exclusive content by supporting C. Michael Patton on Patreon at patreon.com/cmichaelpatton. Dive Deeper into Theology: Explore high-quality courses taught by the world’s greatest scholars at Credo Courses. Visit credocourses.com. Let’s journey through the wisdom of the Church Fathers together—daily inspiration to deepen your faith and understanding of the Christian tradition.

  1. 8h ago

    Through the Church Fathers: July 17

    Today’s readings ask where grace, confession, and love truly belong. Cyprian continues his argument in Epistle 72, insisting that baptism cannot be separated from the unity and truth of the Church, and that heretical imitation does not require the Church to surrender what belongs to Christ. Augustine then reminds us that confession before God is not merely spoken with the mouth, but cried out from the soul, since nothing in the conscience is hidden from the Lord who first speaks truth into us. Aquinas closes by explaining the object of charity: God is loved above all, and all others—self, neighbor, sinners, enemies, angels, and even the body—are loved rightly only in relation to God and eternal blessedness. Together, these readings press us to see that Christian life is not held together by outward forms alone, but by truth, inward confession, and love ordered toward God. Today’s Readings: Cyprian — Epistle 72: To Jubaianus, Concerning the Baptism of Heretics, Sections 1–4 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 2 (Section 2) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 25 (Articles 1–12 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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Baptism #Charity #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 17

  2. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    Introduction to Cyprian's Epistles on the Baptism of Heretics

    Today’s reading introduces Cyprian’s three letters on the baptism of heretics, where his earlier concerns for unity, holiness, and discipline now focus on one urgent question: should baptism performed outside the Church be received as true baptism? Cyprian answers no, arguing that because the Church is one, baptism is one, and those separated from the Church cannot give what they do not possess. These letters matter not only because of Cyprian’s argument, but because the wider Church would later wrestle with and, in the West, largely move in a different direction through figures like Stephen of Rome and Augustine. From a Protestant perspective, we may not follow Cyprian all the way in his sacramental conclusion, but his deeper concern remains important: baptism is not an empty ritual detached from truth, confession, and the body of Christ. Today’s Readings: Introduction — Cyprian, Epistles 70, 72, and 73: Concerning the Baptism of Heretics 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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Baptism #ChurchHistory #Theology #Ecclesiology #Sacraments #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Introduction to Cyprian's Epistles on the Baptism of Heretics

  3. 1d ago

    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 Heretics Augustine — 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.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Baptism #Charity #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 16

  4. 2d ago

    Through the Church Fathers: July 15

    Today’s readings move from repentance into restoration, and from grief into charity. Cyprian concludes On the Lapsed by warning that false safety destroys true safety, while genuine repentance must be as deep as the wound; yet he also holds out hope that the fallen soldier may be armed again, restored by mercy, and even receive a crown. Augustine closes Book 9 of The Confessions by remembering Monica at the Lord’s altar, trusting not in her merits but in the mercy of Christ, who paid the price no one can repay. Aquinas then begins the great section on charity, defining it as friendship with God and the greatest of the virtues, because faith believes, hope longs, but charity already clings to God in love. Together, these readings remind us that repentance is not the end of the Christian life, but the doorway back into mercy, communion, and holy love. Today’s Readings: Cyprian — On the Lapsed, Sections 34–36 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 13 (Sections 36–37) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 23 (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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Repentance #Charity #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 15

  5. 3d ago

    Through the Church Fathers: July 14

    Today’s readings distinguish real repentance from religious self-deception. Cyprian continues On the Lapsed by warning that repentance must not be merely claimed, but shown through grief, humility, confession, and a willingness to receive the medicine of correction. Augustine then turns from mourning Monica to praying for her, refusing to rest even in her holy life as though anyone could stand before God apart from mercy. Aquinas closes by examining presumption as a sin against hope, not because it trusts God’s mercy too much, but because it expects forgiveness without repentance and the end without the means God has appointed. Together, these readings remind us that true hope neither despairs of mercy nor presumes upon it, but returns to God with honest sorrow and confidence in His grace. Today’s Readings: Cyprian — On the Lapsed, Sections 30–33 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 13 (Sections 34–35) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 21 (Articles 1–4 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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Repentance #Hope #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 14

  6. 4d ago

    Through the Church Fathers: July 13

    Today’s readings turn our attention to repentance, grief, and the danger of losing hope. Cyprian continues On the Lapsed by insisting that even those who avoided open sacrifice but secured certificates of denial still defiled the conscience, because God sees not only outward acts but the hidden places of the heart. Augustine then releases the tears he had restrained after Monica’s death, finding rest not in the judgment of men but in the nearness of God’s ears. Aquinas closes by examining despair as a sin against hope, not because a person recognizes his own weakness, but because he refuses to trust that eternal happiness remains possible through the mercy and help of God. Together, these readings remind us that repentance must be honest, grief may be poured out before God, and no wound should lead us to despair of divine mercy. Today’s Readings: Cyprian — On the Lapsed, Sections 27–30 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 12 (Section 33) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 20 (Articles 1–4 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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Repentance #Hope #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 13

  7. 5d ago

    Through the Church Fathers: July 12

    Today’s readings confront the danger of hidden sin and the mercy of rightly ordered fear. Cyprian continues On the Lapsed with some of his most severe warnings, insisting that anger against the Church’s discipline only deepens the wound and that sins hidden from men are never hidden from God. Augustine then describes grief after Monica’s death with startling honesty: the bath could not wash sorrow from his heart, but sleep began to soften what he could not command away by force of will. Aquinas closes by explaining the gift of fear, not as slavish terror, but as reverent awe before God, a fear that strengthens hope by keeping the soul humble, watchful, and unwilling to be separated from Him. Together, these readings remind us that repentance must be real, grief must be entrusted to God, and hope must walk with holy reverence. Today’s Readings: Cyprian — On the Lapsed, Sections 22–26 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 12 (Section 32) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 19 (Articles 1–12 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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Repentance #Hope #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 12

  8. 6d ago

    Through the Church Fathers: July 11

    Today’s readings place mercy under the authority of God rather than human presumption. Cyprian continues On the Lapsed by insisting that even the honor of the martyrs cannot overturn the Lord’s commands or grant peace apart from true repentance, because the Gospel cannot be firm in one place and broken in another. Augustine then mourns Monica with painful honesty, not only grieving her death, but grieving the fact that grief itself still had such power over him. Aquinas turns us to hope, defining it as the theological virtue by which the soul reaches toward eternal happiness as a difficult but possible good, relying on the help of God. Together, these readings remind us that mercy must be sought from the Lord, grief must be carried before the Lord, and hope must rest finally in the Lord. Today’s Readings: Cyprian — On the Lapsed, Sections 18–22 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 9, Chapter 12 (Section 31) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2–2, Question 17 (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 #ChurchFathers #Cyprian #Augustine #Aquinas #Theology #ChurchHistory #ChristianDoctrine #Hope #ThroughTheChurchFathers

    Through the Church Fathers: July 11
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About

Join Through the Church Fathers, a year-long journey into the writings of the early Church Fathers, thoughtfully curated by C. Michael Patton. Each episode features daily readings from key figures like Clement, Augustine, and Aquinas, accompanied by insightful commentary to help you engage with the foundational truths of the Christian faith. Join Our Community: Read along and engage with others on this journey through the Church Fathers. Visit our website. Support the Podcast: Help sustain this work and gain access to exclusive content by supporting C. Michael Patton on Patreon at patreon.com/cmichaelpatton. Dive Deeper into Theology: Explore high-quality courses taught by the world’s greatest scholars at Credo Courses. Visit credocourses.com. Let’s journey through the wisdom of the Church Fathers together—daily inspiration to deepen your faith and understanding of the Christian tradition.

Information

  • Creator
    C. Michael Patton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    594
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © C Michael Patton 2024
  • Show Website
    Through the Church Fathers