Tertullian’s Answer to the Jews

Tertullian, the founder of Latin Christianity and a man of great intellect, was born in Carthage to a proconsular centurion sometime around A.D. 145. He was likely educated in Rome as an expert in law and joined the Church around 185, becoming a presbyter in 190. His writings profoundly influenced Augustine and Cyprian who, in turn, provided inspiration to the Reformers in Europe and in the Anglican Church. 

In his later years Tertullian embraced Montanism, a movement, labeled a heresy by the Church, which claimed to have further revelation from the Holy Spirit, held to a strict moral code, and elevated female prophets. Tertullian perhaps embraced this because he was discontent with the orthodox church of his day and found the uncompromising morality of Montanism appealing. Despite this, he is recognized as the founder of Latin Christianity and an incredibly influential Christian thought leader and writer.

This episode contains Tertullian’s answer to the Jews, a discourse written in response to questions raised by some in his Church. In particular, he addresses circumcision, the Sabbath, and demonstrates how Christ was indeed foretold by the prophets. In doing so he largely follows the pattern set down by the Apostles in Acts and the author of Hebrews. Tertullian relies heavily on the prophets, drawing upon passages still used today to demonstrate the plethora of prophecies fulfilled by Christ and the ways in which biblical characters, such as Joseph and Joshua, were types and foreshadows of Christ. The mode of interpretation used by Tertullian some 1800 years ago is very similar to that found in modern works like the Bible Project and Sally Lloyd-Jones’ Jesus Storybook Bible.

Tertullian relies heavily on the prophets, drawing upon passages still used today to demonstrate the plethora of prophecies fulfilled by Christ and the ways in which biblical characters, such as Joseph and Joshua, were types and foreshadows of Christ. The mode of interpretation used by Tertullian some 1800 years ago is very similar to that found in modern works like the Bible Project and Sally Lloyd-Jones’ Jesus Storybook Bible.

And now, please enjoy this rendition of Tertullian’s Answer to the Jews.

If you would like to read more of the writings of the Early Christian Fathers, please visit ccel.org to view the full collection.