Tertullian On Cultural Issues

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 two essays by Tertullian addressing the Shows and the practice of wearing garlands for pagan and secular festivals. In dealing with these subjects, he expresses an uncompromising morality. Faced with evil in the world, he appears to view the best option for Christians to be to avoid it as much as possible. This contrasts somewhat with Clement who, in the Stromata, was willing to see and affirm the value of secular philosophy. While not spelled out, it may well be that the early Church struggled to balance the same tensions and arguments between liberal and conservative Christians today.

And now, please enjoy this rendition of Tertullian’s essays On The Shows and On The Chaplet.

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