A new episode of Through the Church Fathers explores how the early Church understood Christ through prophecy, conversion, and the nature of the human will. Justin Martyr draws together Old Testament prophecies that foretold both the suffering and the future glory of Christ, arguing that the events of Jesus’ life—His humiliation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—were predicted long before they occurred and therefore confirm the truth of the gospel. Augustine then gives us a deeply personal moment from The Confessions, describing his restless search for wisdom as he wrestles with doubt, ambition, and the pull of worldly life while beginning to rediscover the credibility of the Christian faith. Finally, Thomas Aquinas explains the relationship between intellect and will, showing that while the intellect perceives what is good, the will is the soul’s power that freely moves us toward that good. Together these readings move from prophecy, to personal conversion, to the inner structure of the human soul.

Readings:

Justin Martyr — First Apology, Chapters 50–52 Augustine of Hippo — The Confessions, Book 6, Chapter 11 (Section 18) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 82, Article 1

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