Apologistswriter
The first great Latin Christian writer and apologist, who gave Western theology much of its vocabulary and is still read with profit; he is not venerated as a saint, having followed the Montanist “new prophecy” of his later years.
Who he was
- His writings are apologetic; dogmatico-polemic; and practico-ascetical. 1. Apologetical Writings
- Apologeticum ( or Apologeticus liber) is one of his finest works (ca. 197). Addressed to Roman provincial governors, it falls into two parts: (a) treatment of charges of secret crimes amongst Christians; (b) public crimes.
- Ad Nationes, 2 books (ca. 197) ridicules heathen worship and shows that the accusations made against Christianity are true of paganism.
- Ad Scapulam,(ca . 212), a brief letter to the proconsul in Africa, a persecutor. Tertullian reminds him of the fate that befell other persecutors.
- Adversus Judaeos - a discussion to prove that the Israelites rejected God’s grace.
What he wrote
- Tertullian was born in Carthage in North Africa in 160; the son of a centurion in the service of the proconsul of Africa.
- He received a very thorough education, studied law and became an advocate at Rome.
- About 193 he became a Christian, and was ordained priest and began a long literary career in defense of Christianity.
- Between the years 195-220, he carried on his literary activity.
- With St. Augustine he is the greatest western theologian. Western theology is in his debt for many technical terms. Indeed, in a sense, he created the clear language of western theology.
- About 205 or 207 he became a Montanist (see the section on Montanism in Main Heretics and Heresies in