Ante-Nicene · c. 155 – c. 220
Tertullian
Carthage, North Africa
Biography
Tertullian was a trained lawyer of Carthage who converted to Christianity as an adult and became its most prolific Latin apologist, effectively creating much of Christian Latin theological vocabulary, including the word 'Trinity' (trinitas). Fiery and rigorist, he later joined the charismatic Montanist sect, which is why he is honored as a great writer but not venerated as a saint. His works remain invaluable evidence for early Christian practice.
Historical background
Writing around AD 200–210 in Roman Carthage, Tertullian coined much of the Church's Trinitarian vocabulary ('one substance, three persons') and defended Christians against pagan persecution, famously declaring that the blood of martyrs is seed for the Church.
Major writings
Apologeticus
A defense of Christianity addressed to Roman magistrates.
On the Prescription of Heretics
Argues heretics have no right to appeal to Scripture apart from the Church's tradition.
On Baptism
The earliest extant treatise devoted entirely to the sacrament of baptism.
Important teachings
Tertullian insists that Scripture belongs to the Church and must be interpreted within apostolic tradition, not appealed to independently by heretics. He defends the necessity and regenerative power of baptism and coined enduring Trinitarian terminology.
Quotations
“Where diversity of doctrine is found, there, then, must the corruption both of the Scriptures and the expositions thereof be regarded as existing.”
“Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life.”
“The blood of Christians is seed.”