Lecture 7: Introduction to Tertullian

Lecture 7: Introduction to Tertullian 24 September 2019 Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

Introduction • Languages • Tertullian’s Life • Philosophy and Language • Assignments 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

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

Map of Western Roman Empire Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

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 • 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

Passion of Perpetua • Recounts martyrdom of a group of young Christians c 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.” • Some parts of story written by Perpetua while in prison • Perhaps edited by Tertullian • Significant scholarly debate concerning language of origin: Greek or Latin • In Passion of Perpetua, the direct action of the Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies Perpetua and her companions • Note that their sacrifice is given equal status to Scripture

Sketch of Tertullian’s Life • Born c. 160 in Carthage • Convert to Catholic Christianity • Many of his works are extant; • Dominant early theologian in the Latin 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

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 (edited) the 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

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

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

Some Reading Points in Heretics • Importance of Rule (canon, regula) 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

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

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 athttp://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070530_en.html Lecture 7: Introduciton to Tertullian

Lecture 7: Introduction to Tertullian