Today’s readings center on the battle for truth, purity, and rightly ordered desire. Tertullian argues that truth always comes before its counterfeit, reminding us that the apostolic faith existed long before the later innovations of the heretics and that every false doctrine is ultimately a corruption of something first delivered by Christ and His apostles. Augustine turns inward, confessing his continuing struggle with sinful desires and praying that God would so heal his soul that even the temptations of dreams would lose their power. Aquinas then concludes his treatment of prayer by showing that Christ not only taught us to pray, but taught us what to desire. The Lord’s Prayer orders our hearts toward God first and ourselves second, teaching us that the deepest purpose of prayer is not merely to receive gifts but to be formed into people who desire the right things in the right order. Together these readings remind us that truth comes from God, holiness comes from God, and even our desires must ultimately be directed back to God.

Today's Readings

Tertullian — The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 29–31

Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 30 (Section 42)

Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 83 — Prayer (Articles 9–17 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Prayer #LordsPrayer #ChurchHistory #Patristics #HistoricalTheology #ChristianDiscipleship #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #EarlyChurch #ChristianFormation #Theology #AncientFaith #ChristianHistory #CredoMinistries #CredoCourses #DailyReading

Today's readings explore three different aspects of the Christian life that ultimately converge in the same place: dependence upon God. Tertullian defends the public and apostolic nature of the Christian faith, arguing that the apostles concealed no secret doctrine but openly delivered the truth to the whole Church. Augustine reflects on the troubling persistence of sinful images in dreams, wrestling with the mystery of temptation, conscience, and human weakness even after conversion. Aquinas then turns to prayer itself, explaining how God has ordained prayer as a means by which His people participate in His providence—not to change His will, but to draw near to Him and receive His gifts according to His wisdom. Together, these readings remind us that God has openly revealed His truth, patiently sanctifies His people, and graciously invites them into fellowship through prayer.

Today's Readings

Tertullian — The Prescription against Heretics, Chapters 25–28

Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 30 (Section 41)

Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 83 — Prayer (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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Prayer #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #Patristics #ChurchHistory #HistoricalTheology #ChristianDiscipleship #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoHouse #CredoMinistries #ChristianFormation #EarlyChurch #Theology #ChristianHistory #AncientFaith #DailyReading

The apostles did not hand down a hidden gospel, Augustine confesses that the entire human life is a battlefield of temptation, and Aquinas explains that true devotion is not merely emotion but the willing offering of oneself to God. In Tertullian’s Prescription Against Heretics, the unity of apostolic doctrine is defended against those who claimed secret teachings beyond the public faith once delivered to the Church. Augustine’s Confessions reveals the restless struggle of the soul caught between joy and sorrow, prosperity and adversity, crying out to God for mercy and grace. Aquinas then brings these themes together by showing that devotion grows through meditation upon God’s goodness and through humble recognition of our own weakness. Together these readings remind us that Christianity is not sustained by hidden revelations, passing emotions, or outward performance, but by steadfast trust in the God who commands, heals, and sustains His people through every trial.

Today’s Readings:

Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 23–25

Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapters 28–29 (Sections 39–40)

Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 2 of Part 2, Question 82 (Articles 1–3 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 #Tertullian #Augustine #ThomasAquinas #Patristics #ChristianHistory #HistoricalTheology #Devotion #TheConfessions #SummaTheologica #ThroughTheChurchFathers