Essays on Tertullian

c. 155 AD – c. 220 AD

Tertullian was an important early Christian theologian, polemicist, and moralist who, as the initiator of ecclesiastical Latin, was instrumental in shaping the vocabulary and thought of Western Christianity. He is one of the Latin Apologists of the 2nd century.

Tertullian was born in Carthage approximately in 155–160 CE. He received an exceptional education in grammar, rhetoric, literature, philosophy, and law. After completing his education in Carthage, he went to Rome, probably in his late teens or early 20s, to study further and perhaps begin work as a lawyer. While in Rome, he became interested in the Christian movement, but not until he returned to Carthage toward the end of the 2nd century was he converted to the Christian faith.

From his early 40s to mid-60s, Tertullian devoted himself almost entirely to literary pursuits. Developing an original Latin style, Tertullian became a lively and pungent propagandist. Like his contemporaries, he wrote works in defense of the faith and treatises on theological problems. He also wrote the first Christian book on baptism, De baptismo; a book on the Christian doctrine of humanity, De anima (“Concerning the Soul”); essays on prayer and devotion, De oratione (“Concerning Prayer”); and a treatise directed against all heresy, De praescriptione haereticorum (“Concerning the Prescription of Heretics”).

His last writings date from approximately 220, but the date of his death is unknown. Tertullian has been called "the father of Latin Christianity" and "the founder of Western theology". Tertullian originated new theological concepts and advanced the development of early Church doctrine. He is perhaps most famous for being the first writer in Latin known to use the term trinity.

“The first reaction to truth is hatred.”
“Truth persuades by teaching, but does not teach by persuading.”
“It is certain because it is impossible”
“You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine.”