The Latin Fathers – Tertullian

The speaker moves from the context of Alexandrian mystical thought to presenting the life and ideas of the scholar Tertullian, one of the Fathers of the second Christian century, and highlights his role in defensive writings about Christianity and his encouragement of the virtue of martyrdom.

His defensive and martyrdom writings

Tertullian wrote a number of defensive works including a letter he called Scorpiace (the Scorpion’s Antidote), and the letter Ad Martyras which urges martyrdom, and the letter De Corona, from which another letter branched called De Fuga in Persecutione that examines the question of fleeing by the believer during persecution, answering the question: is it permissible for a Christian to flee and hide?

His stance toward Jews and pagans

He also wrote works responding to the Jews (Adversus Judaeos) and to accusations directed at Christians, and he criticized pagans in defense of the Christian truth in a persecuted society.

An address to prisoners and the spiritual dimension of imprisonment

In a letter to those imprisoned for the faith Tertullian offers a spiritual view of prison: it is not a true prison but liberation from the prison of the world; the body is bound but the soul is free light, the believer awaits judgment before God not before earthly judges, which gives persecution the character of worship and spiritual solitude.

His concept of martyrdom

Tertullian describes martyrdom as a field of honor, with spiritual blessings, the Holy Spirit as trainer, and reward an eternal crown and the right of heavenly citizenship; his view of martyrdom surpasses earthly lament to become a testimony of love and practical faith that consecrates belonging to God.

Tone of his speech and defensive posture

Tertullian’s writings are marked by a harsh tone against pagans and a defense of the Church; he sees that Christians are deprived of the chance to vindicate themselves except by standing firm, so he adopts a clear stance calling for steadfastness even unto death if necessary.

Brief spiritual summary

From Tertullian’s texts we learn the meeting of learning with moral boldness: defending the faith is inseparable from readiness to sacrifice, and the spiritual vision transforms chains into a scene of salvation and worship, with caution about the severity of style though he remains an advocate of steadfast faith in times of trial.

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