What does the scholar Tertullian say about tradition?

The scholar Tertullian’s view of tradition does not diverge from that of St. Irenaeus in any essential points. We can summarize his view in the following points:

• a. The scholar Tertullian insists that there is no secret tradition. He says, “it is inconceivable that the apostles were either ignorant of the whole scope of the message which they had to declare, or failed to make known to all men the entire rule of faith.”²²⁸

• b. The scholar Tertullian considered the surest test of the authenticity of the doctrine to be the fact that the churches had been founded by the apostles and were continuously linked with them.²²⁹ In this, he agrees with St. Irenaeus. For example, the scholar Tertullian says, “We hold communion with the apostolic churches because our doctrine is in no respect different from theirs. This is our witness of truth.”²³⁰ He also says, “[the] authority of churches … lends support to the tradition of the apostles; because truth must needs precede the forgery, and proceed straight from those by whom it has been handed on.”²³¹

• c. The scholar Tertullian asserts that the oral tradition or the “Rule of Faith” ( Regula Fidei ) is the key to true interpretations of the Holy Bible. The heretics were able to make Scripture say whatever they liked because they disregarded the Rule of Faith.²³²

• d. The scholar Tertullian describes a tradition of practical worship that has been the custom of the Church for many generations. He says, “And how long shall we draw the saw to and fro through this line, when we have an ancient practice, which by anticipation has made for us the state, i.e., of the question? If no passage of Scripture has prescribed it, assuredly custom, which without doubt flowed from tradition, has confirmed it. For how can anything come into use, if it has not first been-handed down?”²³³

227 St. Irenaeus of Lyon, Against Heresies 3.24.1 (ANF 1:458). See also 1.10.2; 3.2, 2.3, 3.3.1; 3.3.3; 3.4.1, 2; 3.5.1; J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius (London: SPCK, 1975): pp. 115–117.

228 Tertullian, Prescription Against Heretics 27 (ANF 3:256), amended. See also 22 (ANF 3:253).

229 J. N. D. Kelly, Early Christian Doctrines , 4th ed. (London: Adam & Charles Black, 1968): p. 40.

230 Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics 21 (ANF 3:252).

231 Tertullian, Against Marcion 4.5 (ANF 3:351).

232 Cf. Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics 9 (ANF 3:247–248); On the Resurrection 21 (ANF 3:560); and Against Praxeas 26 (ANF 3:622).

233 This and the remaining quotes under this section are from Tertullian, De Corona (The Chaplet) 3, 4 (ANF 3:94–95), amended.

He continues: “Even in pleading tradition, written authority, you say, must be demanded. Let us inquire, therefore, whether tradition, unless it be written, should not be admitted. Certainly we shall say that it ought not be admitted, if no cases of other practices which, without any written instrument, we maintain on the ground of tradition alone.”

He then gives some examples: “To deal with this matter briefly, I shall begin with baptism. When we are going to enter the water, but a little before, in the presence of the congregation and under the hand of the priest, we solemnly profess that we disown the devil, and his pomp, and his angels. Hereupon we are thrice immersed, making a somewhat ampler pledge than the Lord has appointed in the Gospel [see Matt. 28:19]. Then when we are taken up (as new-born children), we taste first of all a mixture of milk and honey, and from that day we refrain from the daily bath for a whole week.” This was the tradition that was observed in former times.

He continues, “We take also, in our congregations before daybreak, and from the hand of none but the priests, we celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord commanded to be eaten at mealtimes.

“As often as the anniversary comes round, we make offerings for the dead as birthday honours.

“We count fasting or kneeling in worship on the Lord’s Day to be unlawful. We rejoice in the same privilege also from Easter to Pentecost.

“We feel pained should any wine or bread, even though our own, be cast upon the ground.

“At every forward step and movement, at every going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at table, when we light the lamps, on couch, on seat, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace upon the forehead the sign (i.e., of the cross).

“If, for these and other such rules, you insist upon having positive Scripture injunction, you will find none. Tradition will be held forth to you as the originator of them, custom as their strengthener, and faith as their observer. That reason will support tradition, and custom, and faith, you will either yourself perceive, or learn from someone who has …

“These instances, therefore, make it sufficiently plain that you can vindicate the keeping of even unwritten tradition established by custom; the proper witness for tradition as demonstrated by long continued observance.”