Tertullian’s The Soul’s Testimony

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.

Here, Tertullian describes the nature of the soul. In some ways, it is a curious thing that most Christians today are unconcerned as to the difference between spirit, soul, and body. In our scientific age it is perhaps too easy to adopt a materialist viewpoint of the world, understanding our existence as created from complex interactions of lifeless matter and electrochemical signals in the brain. Tertullian, rather, explores the nature of the human soul, delving into metaphysics, engaging with popular philosophy, and refuting heretics along the way. This short text is particularly interesting as it introduces one of the questions the early Church was asking. Additionally, it serves to remind us today that we are not merely physical, possessing an eternal soul that will one day face God’s judgment and either live with Him forever to be cast into eternal torment.

And now, please enjoy this rendition of Tertullian’s work, The Soul’s Testimony.

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