Through the Church Fathers: October 3

I want listeners to notice how the texts press the same pastoral problem from different angles: can the deposit of faith be hidden, corrupted, or diluted? Tertullian answers decisively that the apostles did not hoard doctrine nor teach conflicting gospels; Paul’s rebuke of Peter was a correction of conduct, not a new doctrine, and the churches—rebuked when necessary—were still the channels of apostolic truth. Augustine reminds us that every good thing we receive is by God’s gift; our being-from-darkness into light is an immediate, gracious act that grounds humility and praise. Aquinas (Question 16, combined) brings the moral focus home: use (the will’s act toward means) belongs to deliberation and the will insofar as reason presents means for an end—so faithful practice requires rightly ordered desire, rightly formed reason, and a will that consents in the higher powers. The three readings together press pastoral fidelity: guard the deposit, attend to the Spirit’s gift, and form consent rightly in the life of the will. (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14; Gen. 1:3; Psalm 119; Gal. 1:6–9)

Readings:

Tertullian, The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 25–27

Augustine, The Confessions, Book 13, Chapter 10

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 16, Articles 1–4 (combined)

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