1. Lecture 7: Introduction to Tertullian
25 September 2018
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

2. Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian
Introduction
Languages
Tertullian’s Life
Philosophy and Language
Assignments
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

3. Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian
Greek
Greek was the common language of the ancient Mediterranean
Education
Commerce
All Christian Scripture was in Greek
Septuagint OT
Greek NT
Greek was the ‘native’ language spoken by the Christian community in Rome through the Third Century
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

4. Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian
Latin
Language of Roman Administration
Military
Law
Latin was language of Church only in North Africa in Second and Third Century
Never part of the Hellenistic kingdoms
Along with Spain, one of first provinces of Rome, result of Punic Wars
Rome settled veterans there in colonies
Commerce was primarily between North Africa and Italy; not with other parts of Mediterranean
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

5. Map of Western Roman Empire
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

6. Early Christianity in North Africa
Early accounts of Martyrs, around 200
Period of instability in Empire
Account of 12 Martyrs of Scilli (near Carthage), late Second Century
Account of Perpetua and Felicity, martyred 203
some part and fellowship with Your Holy Apostles and Martyrs with Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and all Your Saints.
Translations of Bible into Latin, used liturgically;
Before Jerome’s authoritative version
Known as Old Latin Bible
OT based on Septuagint
Generalization: Type of Christianity less specifically philosophical, focused on practice and discipline
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

7. Sketch of Tertullian’s Life
Born c. 160 in Carthage
Convert to Catholic Christianity
Many of his works are extant;
Hugely influential in the West
First theologian of significance to write primarily in Latin
Well aware of the works of other theologians: Irenaeus, Justin Martyr
Some common (mis)conceptions about Tertullian
Lawyer
Presbyter
Apostatized to Montanism
Died (a martyr?) in 225;
Never declared a saint, although St. Cyprian considered him the ‘master’ and read him everyday
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

8. Key Issues for Tertullian
Similar to those of both Justin Martyr and Irenaeus
Tertullian wrote an Apology, along with a number of other works addressed to non-Christians
Tertullian wrote many works attacking Christian heresies; specific works Against Marcion; Prescription Against Heretics
But he was also very concerned with right practice and discipline of individual members
Wrote an account of the martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity
We have more Tertullian’s works than any other pre-Constantinian theologian
He wrote in Greek and Latin
Only Latin works survived
Seems to have been part of a Christian intellectual writing ‘club’
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

9. Tertullian and Philosophy
Tertullian did use philosophical terms and was quite familiar with the leading philosophies of the day: Stoicism and Epicureanism
Yes, he did say “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” Prescriptions Against Heretics 7
But he also used many concepts from Stoicism, especially from Seneca
So if for Tertullian, “our instruction comes from the porch of Solomon” (Heretics, 7) he also looked to “Seneca whom we so often find on our side” (Treatise on Soul, 20).
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

10. Tertullian and Rhetoric
Schooled in Latin rhetorical forms (Cicero)
Developed Latin theological language in use to this day
Trinity
Persons of Trinity
Two natures of Christ
Sacrament
Eucharist (sacrifice), baptism, confirmation
Mother Church
Rule of Faith
Includes Scripture and Creed
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

11. Some Reading Points in Heretics
Importance of Rule of Faith from the Apostles
How to handle arguments that the Apostles were not united
Scripture and its interpretation as part of Rule of Faith
Issues with philosophy: idle speculation about nature of God
Proper exegesis of “seek and you will find”
Importance of discipline and practice: living the Rule of Faith in all aspects of life
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

12. Some Reading Points in Letter to His Wife
A type of spiritual will
Encourages her to remain chaste after his death
Gives some reasons why chastity is preferable to marriage
At the conclusion gives a model for a Christian marriage
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

13. Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian
Assignment
Read Prescription Against Heretics
Especially, 1-27; 31-32; 38-42; in LCC
Read Letter to His Wife in ANF IV
Book I.1-5; Book II.8
Hiene, “The Beginnings of Latin Christian Literature” in Early Christian Literature (optional)
Benedict XVI, General Audience, 30 May 2007, Tertullian, available at
Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian