Heresy Is Like Pride: All Its Victims Are Strong!! -3
In the previous issue, we discussed how the great scholar Origen fell into heresy, and how that was a severe test for the Church—whether to follow faith or man—and how the Church succeeded in that test. Origen remains excommunicated to this day, despite his immense scholarly greatness.
Today, we speak about another scholar:
Tertullian
The problem of Tertullian resembles that of Origen. Vincent of Lérins said that just as Origen occupied the first place among the Church’s scholars who wrote in Greek, Tertullian occupied the first place among those who wrote in Latin.
Who among the scholars was equal to him in study and knowledge?! He mastered all the sciences of philosophy with remarkable brilliance and had a deep understanding of all its schools, histories, and philosophers. He was astonishing in his power of persuasion.
He was also able to silence many heretics—Gnostics, pagans, Jews, and the followers of Marcion, Hermogenes, and others. He wrote many books and treatises.
Tertullian was a very ascetic man, detached from worldly matters, especially known for his chastity and fasting. He wrote several books on these subjects, the most famous being his book To My Wife (Ad uxorem), then On Virginity and An Exhortation to Chastity.
However, Tertullian began to deviate and was influenced by the ideas of the Montanists. His excessive strictness led him to forbid remarriage after widowhood and, at times, to prohibit marriage altogether.
Out of excessive rigor, he declared that there was no forgiveness for sin after baptism.
He became a leader of the Donatist heresy, later opposed by Saint Augustine. Despite his knowledge and asceticism, he fell into heresy.
Saint Jerome said of him, “Tertullian, who is not of the Church.” Saint Hilary of Poitiers also spoke with sorrow about this scholar’s errors and how they diminished his scholarly value.
Thus Tertullian—the greatest Church scholar writing in Latin in his generation—fell. His fall was a test for the Church, and the Church succeeded in the test: she excommunicated Tertullian, and he lost his reputation as a Church scholar, becoming counted among the heretics and innovators. Truly, heresy is like pride: all its victims are strong.
Arius
Much can be said about Arius, the priest of Alexandria, who was one of the most eloquent and powerful preachers of his time. Many gathered around him and admired his sermons. He had a remarkable influence on people, to the point that thousands followed him. Indeed, many bishops accepted his teachings, and even the emperor himself was influenced by him—defending him and seeking permission for him to pray after his excommunication.
What a trial it was for the Church when Arius fell into heresy!
Without doubt, it was a very harsh and fierce test. Many fell during this trial, and Arius was able to trouble the Church for a long time. When he died a death in which the hand of God was evident, his followers persisted in stubbornness and resistance, causing great suffering to Saint Athanasius for many years.
Arius, despite his firmness, obstinacy, and strength, fell terribly. The First Ecumenical Council excommunicated him, and he remains excommunicated and anathematized by the Church.
Yet, the heresy of Arius did not harm the Church but rather benefited her and strengthened her faith. Many saints arose to refute it—Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, and Saint Gregory the Theologian. All these enriched Christian thought through their deep contemplation on the divinity of Christ.
The Church never compromised with heresies and false teachings, nor feared them. She faced them with full strength—through debate, teaching, and excommunication when necessary—while grounding the people in sound theological understanding.
Nestorius
Nestorius was also among those strong ones slain by heresy. He was the head of the Church of Constantinople, a man of learning, knowledge, and high standing. He reached that position only because of his great excellence.
Nevertheless, Nestorius fell in his theology regarding the nature of Christ. The Church did not spare him but excommunicated him in the Ecumenical Council held in Ephesus, presided over by the Alexandrian Pope Saint Cyril, the Pillar of Faith.
The Church stands as the guardian of the faith handed down to us by the saints. In matters of faith, she shows no favoritism but acts with firmness and strength.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Year 9, Issue 22, June 2, 1978.
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