TERTULLIAN (Born c. 155/160 - 220 CE)
"It is absolutely forbidden to repay evil with evil."
Holy Tertullian and Latin Christian literature
Holy Tertullian (Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus), was born around 155 to 160 and deceased after 220 AD). He was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. Tertullian was the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature.
Apologist and polemicist
He was an early Christian apologist and a polemicist against what he viewed as heresy. A polemicist is an individual who makes strong arguments in speech or writing, often attacking or defending a particular opinion or belief. They are known for their rhetoric, especially on controversial topics such as politics or religion.
Father of Latin Christianity, founder of Western theology
Tertullian was one of the most brilliant and influential of the early Christian writers. Many of his works influenced later Christian theology, especially in the Latin-speaking Church.
Tertullian was the first theologian to write in Latin, and so has been called "the father of the Latin Church," as well as "the founder of Western [Christian] theology."
Tertullian introduced the term Trinity, as the Latin Trinitas, to the Christian vocabulary. It is thought that he probably introduced the formula "three Persons, one Substance" as the Latin "tres Personae, una Substantia" (itself from the Koine Greed "treis Hypostases, Homoousios"), and also the terms vetus testamentum ("old testament") and novum testamentum ("new testament").
In his Apologeticus, Tertullain was the first Latin author who qualified Christianity as the "vera religio" (true religion) and symmetrically relegated the classical Empire religion and other accepted cults to the position of "superstitions".
Tertullian thus originated new theological concepts, for which the Church is indebted to him. He also advanced the development of early Church doctrine. Tertullian helped to develop theological language not only about the Trinity, but also about the Nature of Christ, repentance, morality and martyrdom. Some of his teachings were later rejected by the Church.
Montanism
Later in life, Tertullian became associated with the movement known as Montanism. The Montanists emphasized strict asceticism, ecstatic prophecy, and rigorous discipline. Some of the positions he held during this later period were not accepted by the wider Church.
The Church takes time
It is true that throughout history, new theological ideas and formulations have sometimes been controversial at first. The Church often takes time to examine whether a teaching faithfully develops the apostolic faith or departs from it. Genuine theological development can occur, but the Church also distinguishes between authentic development and error.
Some writings rejected
In Tertullian’s case, the Church did not reject everything he wrote. On the contrary, much of his thought remained highly respected and influential. What was rejected were certain heterodox tendencies connected with his later rigorism and Montanist sympathies. (Heterodox means "not in agreement with accepted beliefs, especially in church doctrine or dogma").
Exploration of difficult theological questions
This is an important distinction: a theologian may contribute profound insights while still holding some views later judged mistaken. Many early Christian writers explored difficult theological questions in a period during which doctrine was still being clarified, and precise terminology was still developing.
Important early Christian writer and theologian
For that reason, Tertullian is regarded as an important early Christian writer and theologian. His writings continue to be studied because of their intellectual power, moral seriousness, and influence on Christian thought.
Righteousness, patience and mercy
Tertullian taught that it is forbidden for Christians to repay evil with evil because vengeance belongs to God, and because the disciple of Christ is called to overcome hatred through righteousness, patience, and mercy.
Example of Jesus Christ
For Tertullian, the Christian life was meant to reflect the example of Jesus Christ Himself. The Son of God endured insults, suffering, and injustice without returning violence for violence. To answer evil with evil would make the Christian resemble the wrongdoer rather than the Lord.
Break the chain of wickedness
Tertullian understood that when a person returns hatred for hatred, the evil is not conquered but multiplied. Sin spreads like fire from one heart to another. But when evil is met with goodness, restraint, forgiveness, and prayer, the chain of wickedness is broken.
This teaching is rooted deeply in the teaching of Christ: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” (Matthew 5:44)
The words of Saint Paul tell us: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21)
Citizens of a heavenly kingdom
Tertullian believed that Christians are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. Therefore their conduct must be different from the spirit of the world. The world may seek revenge, triumph, and retaliation. In the spirit of the teachings of Jesus, the Christian seeks holiness, justice tempered with mercy, and the salvation even of enemies.
This does not mean approving of evil or pretending injustice is good. Rather, it means refusing to let another person’s sin transform one’s own soul into bitterness, cruelty, or hatred. The Christian may resist wrongdoing lawfully and truthfully, yet must guard the heart from revenge.
In this way, the believer imitates the patience of Christ, Who prayed even for those who crucified Him.
Tertullian: Forger of New Rivers
In Carthage by the restless sea,
There rose a mind both bold and free;
A soul aflame with holy fire,
Consumed by truth and deep desire.
Tertullian took the ancient faith in hand,
He shaped new words to help it stand;
Like smith who strikes the heated steel,
He forged the thoughts the Church would seal.
He searched the mystery of the Three,
The hidden depths of Deity;
And gave a name still shining bright:
The Trinity of living Light.
Through Latin tongue the faith took flame,
Countless souls would bless his name;
For where before few paths were known,
He carved new roads through thought alone.
Yet not all rivers safely run,
Beneath the brightness of the sun;
Some writings strayed in thought afar,
Like ships that wander from guidance star.
Some rejected of what he taught,
Cautiously weighing each daring thought;
For such the burden borne by those,
Who seek where deeper wisdom flows.
But this was Tertullian in quest unbowed -
Unbent by fear, his courage uncowed;
Undaunted by failure of new theological thought,
He launched his vessel again as Christ he sought.
He sailed uncharted seas of mind,
Leaving safer shores behind;
Not seeking glory, wealth, or fame,
But truth within Christ Jesus’ Name.
He trusted God, the Lord of All,
To sift what stood and what would fall;
So that mistaken chaff did not take root,
And wheat of truth grew to tree from shoot.
Truly still his words remain,
As distant bells across the plain;
For centuries have heard the sound,
Of thoughts first broken from his ground.
Though not by all called saint on earth,
Who weighs the soul and knows its worth?
Surely in Heaven’s courts above,
He rests within the Light of Love.
Does Christ Whose gospel he did search,
Bless him for his work in early church?
While both look down through ages vast,
Seeing his labour still hold fast.
For we would know far less today,
Had he not dared to clear the way;
Had he not crossed untrodden streams,
In search of God beyond men’s dreams.
So let us learn from souls like this:
Not every path is walked in bliss;
Yet holy courage still must strive,
To keep the living faith alive.
For minds that fear to seek anew,
May never learn what yet is true;
And hearts too fearful of men’s blame
May never serve Christ’s holy Name.
Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Heavenly encounter of Holy Tertullian with Christ"
