Tertullian was an early Christian
apologist, theologian and moralist from Carthage in North Africa. Zealous and
eloquent, Tertullian was highly educated in law, rhetoric, literature, Greek
and Latin. His works significantly influenced the early church, gave shape and
definition to Western Christian theology, and his influence resonates to this
day. Tertullian earned the title "Father of Latin Theology" as the
first significant theologian to write extensive Christian literature in Latin.
Fast Facts: Tertullian
• Also
known as: Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus
•Known
For: Prolific Christian author who produced the earliest formal textbooks
of Western Christianity
• Born:
His exact date of birth is unknown. Carthage, North Africa (now Tunisia), most
likely Carthage, North Africa (now Tunisia) between 145 and 160 AD
• Died:
After 220 AD
• Published
works: Ad Nationes, Apologeticum, Ad Martyras, Adversus Hermogenem,
Adversus Marcionem, De Carne Christi, De Resurrectione Carnis and many others.
Notable Quote: “The blood of the
martyrs is the seed of the church.”
Early Llife
The young Tertullian was born in what is now Tunisia, Carthage, a
Roman province in North Africa. Historians place his date of birth between 145
AD and his 160th year. During this period of history, Carthage was a major
cultural and educational center, second only to Rome. Tertullian received an
excellent education in such subjects as law, rhetoric, philosophy, literature,
grammar, Greek and Latin. Tertullian's early life is poorly documented beyond
what can be gleaned from his own writings. His parents may have been pagans and
his father a Roman centurion. Around the age of 20, Tertullian moved to Rome to
proceed his educations. He probably temporarily practiced as a lawyer in Rome.
While in Rome, Tertullian was deeply shocked to witness the brutal persecution
and martyrdom of Christians.
Radical Devotion
Towards the end of the 2nd century, Tertullian returned to
Carthage and remained there until his death. In his early thirties, Tertullian
underwent a radical change when he believed in Jesus Christ. He married a
Christian woman and became a widower after her death.
As a believer, Tertullian devoted himself to the study of the
Bible. He soon distinguished himself as a teacher in the Carthaginian Church
and began writing many works in defense of Christian beliefs and practices. The
4th-century scholar Jerome claimed that Tertullian was an ordained priest, but
modern scholarship challenges that idea.
Tertullian became frustrated with what he felt was neglected in
the Orthodox Church because of his uncompromising commitment to his faith and
truth.
He eventually left the Carthaginian Church and joined the newly
formed separatist movement known as Montanism. The group appealed to Tertullian
with strict adherence to morality. This sect was largely unaffected by heresy,
but even the Montanists were not strict enough against Tertullian. Eventually
he broke with them and formed his own sect called the Tertullianists.
Tertullians continued to be active in Africa until they rejoined
the Carthaginian Church in the 5th century. Despite Tertullian's strict ideas
about church life, he remained dogmatically sound until his death.
Defending the Faith
Shortly after his conversion, Tertullian began writing extensively
on Christian writings, centered on his three areas of apologetics, doctrine,
and morality.
Many of these literary works were written in Latin and are still
in existence today. Two of his most notable early works are his Ad Nationes, an
essay on the injustice of Roman persecution of early Christians, and his
elaborate defense of religious liberty and the Christian faith. It was
Apologeticum.
Tertullian, with a strong sense of truth, attacked the heresies of
his time and often addressed the theological problems of particular opponents.
For example, in Adversus Hermogenem (“Against Hermogen”), Tertullian refuted
the ideas of local Carthaginian painters who believed that God created creation
from existing matter.
Tertullian's style used sharp wit and confrontational power far
beyond those of the early Christian authorities. As a jurist, Tertullian
recognized the value of human reason in defending the tenets of the Christian
faith. In
Adversus Marcionem, Tertullian writes: The not-so-good ones can
torture themselves with irrationality
'
Tertullian wrote for the Church on such doctrines as resurrection
(De resurrectione carnis), baptism (De Baptismo) and soul (De anima). He wrote
to help his followers deal with everyday problems such as:
Tertullian believed that conflict between Christianity and pagan
society was inevitable and would lead to persecution. In De fuga in Chaseione,
Tertullian exhorted persecuted Christians to imitate Christ and accept
martyrdom. Tertullian also wrote a dedication and teaching on prayer (De
oration).
Mixed Legacy
Tertullian's devotion to the faith is best seen in his prolific
literary works, many of which have survived to this day. Tertullian wrote
famous Christian sayings such as "Blessed by God", "Will of
God" and "Will of God". He was also the first Latin writer to
use the word "Trinity". When Tertullian strayed from Catholic
Orthodoxy to Montanism, he fell out of favor not only with the Church, but with
most ancient scholars. But today's scholars revere Tertullian as one of the
most influential and illustrious figures in church history.
His work outlines many of the central tenets in the early
development of Christianity. For example, Tertullian wrote the Trinity as three
persons of one essence. Of Christ's wholly divine and wholly human nature. Fall
and original sin. And about the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Tertullian's
ideas directly influenced men such as Athanasius and Augustine, as well as
other fathers and councils who influenced them.
According to church tradition, Tertullian reached old age. His last
writings date to around 220 AD, but some suggest he may have lived until 240
AD. Click
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