Showing results by author "Tertullian" in All Categories

In the latter part of the second century and the early part of the third, Carthage was home to the influential Tertullian, the first notable Latin writer of the church whose works have endured through time. His writings often reflect a stern, monastic mindset, characterized by the principles of Touch not, taste not, handle not. Despite this, Tertullian possessed considerable oratorical and scholarly talents that earned him a reputation that may exceed what his theological insights alone would suggest. He approached his faith with earnestness, which makes him more admirable than many who, while...

In the late second and early third centuries, Tertullian emerged in Carthage as the first Latin writer of the early church, leaving behind a legacy of thought-provoking and often severe writings. His works reflect a strict, monastic mindset captured by maxims such as Touch not, taste not, handle not. While some may dismiss his theological insights, Tertullians eloquence as an orator and scholar is undeniable, earning him a significant reputation. He passionately defended fundamental Christian doctrines and sought to uphold what he believed to be true religion. Although he initially aligned ...

Ad Nationes (To the Nations) shows that the Roman actions taken against the early Christians are violations of justice. This is followed by a listing of Roman slanders against the Christians. Tertullian points out the hypocrisy, since Romans hardly conduct themselves in anything resembling moral behavior. The second book condemns and criticizes Roman religion and their deities, in particular.

The doctrine of Hermogenes has this taint of novelty. He is, in short, a man living in the world at the present time; by his very nature a heretic, and turbulent withal, who mistakes loquacity for eloquence, and supposes impudence to be firmness, and judges it to be the duty of a good conscience to speak ill of individuals. Moreover, he despises God’s law in his painting, maintaining repeated marriages, alleges the law of God in defense of lust, and yet despises it in respect of his art. He falsifies by a twofold process—with his cautery and his pen.

The Second Class of Tertullian’s works, is that which includes his treatises against the heresies of his times. In these, the genius of our author is brilliantly illustrated. Here, we venture a remark on the ambiguity of the expressions concerning our author’s Montanism.

These testimonies of the soul are simple as true, commonplace as simple, universal as commonplace, natural as universal, divine as natural. I don't think they can appear frivolous or feeble to any one, if he reflect on the majesty of nature, from which the soul derives its authority. If you acknowledge the authority of the mistress, you will own it also in the disciple. Well, nature is the mistress here, and her disciple is the soul. But everything the one has taught or the other learned, has come from God--the Teacher of the teacher.