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The Apology
The Apology is a book written by Tertullian, a prominent early Christian writer and theologian, in defense of Christianity. It was written in the 2nd century AD, during a time when Christians were being persecuted by the Roman Empire. The book is divided into two the first part is a defense of Christianity against the accusations made by the Roman authorities, while the second part is a critique of pagan religion and philosophy. In the first part of the book, Tertullian argues that Christians are not a threat to the Roman Empire and that they are not guilty of the crimes they are accused of, such as cannibalism, incest, and atheism. He also argues that the persecution of Christians is unjust and that the Roman authorities should instead focus on punishing those who commit actual crimes. In the second part of the book, Tertullian critiques pagan religion and philosophy, arguing that they are inferior to Christianity. He argues that Christianity is the only true religion and that it offers a better understanding of the nature of God and the world than pagan religion and philosophy. He also argues that Christianity offers a better moral code and a more meaningful way of life than pagan religion and philosophy. Overall, The Apology is an important work in the history of Christianity and provides insight into the early Christian experience of persecution and the defense of the faith in the face of opposition.I am more afraid of them than of Anytus and his associates, who are dangerous, too, in their own way. But far more dangerous are these, who began when you were children, and took possession of your minds with their falsehoods, telling of one Socrates, a wise man, who speculated about the heaven above, and searched into the earth beneath, and made the worse appear the better cause. These are the accusers whom I dread.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
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First published January 1, 197
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About the author
Tertullian
550 books90 followersQuintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, anglicised as Tertullian (c. 160 – c. 220 AD), was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He is the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. He also was a notable early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy. Tertullian has been called "the father of Latin Christianity" and "the founder of Western theology." Though conservative, he did originate and advance new theology to the early Church. He is perhaps most famous for being the oldest extant Latin writer to use the term Trinity (Latin trinitas), and giving the oldest extant formal exposition of a Trinitarian theology. Other Latin formulations that first appear in his work are "three Persons, one Substance" as the Latin "tres Personae, una Substantia" (itself from the Koine Greek "treis Hypostases, Homoousios"). He wrote his trinitarian formula after becoming a Montanist; his ideas were at first rejected as heresy by the church at large, but later accepted as Christian orthodoxy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 3, 2016
Many Christian writers throughout the first and second centuries AD drafted Apologies, or defenses of Christianity against an often hostile pagan world. Tertullian's Apology is perhaps his most famous work, and one of the best examples of the genre I’ve read to date. Tertullian displays a very strong grasp of logical principles and argumentation, convincingly pleading for equitable legal treatment and freedom of religion for all citizens of the empire, while also showing real literary skill.
Tertullian was never canonized by the Catholic Church due to some divergent (or heretical, depending on your point of view) opinions that he adopted later in his life. But later Christian authors had deep respect for Tertullian's skill as a writer, and it is easy to see why. 4.0 stars, recommended.
Tertullian was never canonized by the Catholic Church due to some divergent (or heretical, depending on your point of view) opinions that he adopted later in his life. But later Christian authors had deep respect for Tertullian's skill as a writer, and it is easy to see why. 4.0 stars, recommended.
January 30, 2022
Jag medger att denna är lärd. Den är också förfulad av debattknep och avsiktliga misstolkningar; alla som inte håller med Tertullianus själv får minst en släng av skeden. Det är konvertitens fanatism snarare än redlig Gudskärlek som präglar den. - För det mesta i alla fall - det finns ett par partier i mitten som är sanna. I bemärkelsen kärleksdrivna.
Jag rekommenderar att den undviks, om möjlighet finns.
Jag rekommenderar att den undviks, om möjlighet finns.
June 9, 2025
Overall 9/10. The second part really resonated with me, the translation was crystal clear and the notes contextualized everything that needed to be.
7/10 for the Apologeticum.
The arguments felt extremely current, but not in a good sense. He was a ruthless apologist, who didn't limit himself to all the fallacies that the modern day debates are so filled with.
9/10 for the De Carne Christi.
This is a great example of polemics. It aged like milk, but the broadness of the arguments it presents was very well strung together.
7/10 for the Apologeticum.
The arguments felt extremely current, but not in a good sense. He was a ruthless apologist, who didn't limit himself to all the fallacies that the modern day debates are so filled with.
9/10 for the De Carne Christi.
This is a great example of polemics. It aged like milk, but the broadness of the arguments it presents was very well strung together.
May 20, 2019
Mahtava apologeettinen kirjoitus yhdeltä varhaisen kirkon marttyyrilta. Varhaisen kirkon vaiheista kiinnostuneille tämän tärkeys on itsestää selvää. Muille suosittelen tätä pelkästään sen loistavan retoriikan vuoksi.
March 10, 2021
Though much of what is said, specifically, does not translate to 21st-century America, there is nonetheless something to be learned from his overall form of argument. Tertullian was an able defender of the faith, and we do well to reflect on his words.
May 10, 2017
This is a short, easy to read book that gives a glimpse into the life of the Christians around 200 AD through Tertullians defense of the Christians and the Christian Faith.
November 24, 2019
Omsider ferdig med denne boken, som tok mye lengre tid enn det burde. Kan hende at rangeringen min gir et feilaktig bilde av hva jeg tenker om boken, så jeg vil starte med å si at 2/5 betyr at jeg synes den var OK, etter Goodreads sine egne definisjoner.
Forsvarsskrift for de kristne har spesielt to ting gående for seg. 1) Den gir et godt innblikk inn i hvordan det var å være kristen i Kartago (i Romerriket) på 100-/200-tallet. Her bidrar Dagfinn Stærk med god kontekst-informasjon i starten av boken, pluss veldig behjelpelige fotnoter underveis. 2) Argumentene er av juridisk karakter, og dekker dessuten mer en filosofisk tilnærming til apologetikk heller enn en rent rasjonelt argumentativ tilnærming. Og man kommer virkelig inn på dype filosofiske spørsmål og refleksjoner om Gud, da Bibelens Gud blir satt oppimot de romerske gudene. Dette er spennende, men krever sitt av leseren - det er lett å falle av. Ikke nødvendigvis fordi det er tungt, men fordi det er skrevet inn i en annen samtid.
Selv har jeg ikke tid eller motivasjon til å virkelig få glede av alle de interessante ideene som Tertullian mater oss med. Andre vil sikkert score boken høyere avhengig av deres holdning til akkurat dette.
Et minus som må nevnes er at Tertullian er svært krass. På mange måter minner han meg om Paulus. Forskjellen er bare at Tertullian også mangler den introspektive kritikken. Så ikke bare kritiserer han hardt sine meningsmotstandere. Han løfter også kristne opp som om de er bedre enn alle andre. Og nettopp at kristne er bedre enn andre er ofte et viktig "bevis" han har for at de har rett der romerne tar feil. Det er det ikke alltid like lett for meg å gå med på. Jeg savner ydmykheten. Når Tertullian snakker om de kristne, så må jeg se for meg en slags teoretisk ideal-kristen, ellers fungerer det ikke. Tertullian ble for øvrig senere for strenge på kravene sine for hva å være kristen innebar, nok til å bli dømt som kjetter. Det kan være greit å ha i bakhodet.
Men noen ganger beskriver han kristnes situasjon som om han levde i dag, og alle disse likhetstrekkene mellom da og nå er grunn nok til å gi denne boken en liten titt.
2/5 - den var ok!
Forsvarsskrift for de kristne har spesielt to ting gående for seg. 1) Den gir et godt innblikk inn i hvordan det var å være kristen i Kartago (i Romerriket) på 100-/200-tallet. Her bidrar Dagfinn Stærk med god kontekst-informasjon i starten av boken, pluss veldig behjelpelige fotnoter underveis. 2) Argumentene er av juridisk karakter, og dekker dessuten mer en filosofisk tilnærming til apologetikk heller enn en rent rasjonelt argumentativ tilnærming. Og man kommer virkelig inn på dype filosofiske spørsmål og refleksjoner om Gud, da Bibelens Gud blir satt oppimot de romerske gudene. Dette er spennende, men krever sitt av leseren - det er lett å falle av. Ikke nødvendigvis fordi det er tungt, men fordi det er skrevet inn i en annen samtid.
Selv har jeg ikke tid eller motivasjon til å virkelig få glede av alle de interessante ideene som Tertullian mater oss med. Andre vil sikkert score boken høyere avhengig av deres holdning til akkurat dette.
Et minus som må nevnes er at Tertullian er svært krass. På mange måter minner han meg om Paulus. Forskjellen er bare at Tertullian også mangler den introspektive kritikken. Så ikke bare kritiserer han hardt sine meningsmotstandere. Han løfter også kristne opp som om de er bedre enn alle andre. Og nettopp at kristne er bedre enn andre er ofte et viktig "bevis" han har for at de har rett der romerne tar feil. Det er det ikke alltid like lett for meg å gå med på. Jeg savner ydmykheten. Når Tertullian snakker om de kristne, så må jeg se for meg en slags teoretisk ideal-kristen, ellers fungerer det ikke. Tertullian ble for øvrig senere for strenge på kravene sine for hva å være kristen innebar, nok til å bli dømt som kjetter. Det kan være greit å ha i bakhodet.
Men noen ganger beskriver han kristnes situasjon som om han levde i dag, og alle disse likhetstrekkene mellom da og nå er grunn nok til å gi denne boken en liten titt.
2/5 - den var ok!
April 12, 2023
Excelente obra sobre a defesa da fé cristã perante as injustas condenações romanas. Ponto a ponto o autor vai mostrando o quão ridícula é a condenação que os romanos faziam dos cristãos. De certa forma, essa defesa ainda se aplica nos dias de hoje.
July 4, 2024
A good, relatively short work giving insight into early Christian thought and response to persecution.
May 3, 2016
C'est au crépuscule du deuxième siècle et à l'aube du suivant que Tertulien, chrétien d'Afrique de langue latine, écrit cette apologie. Les persécutions ont repris sous Trajan, et comme son homologue grec Justin, Tertulien veut fléchir la rigueur de l'empereur. Mais si les écrits du premier sentait le philosophe, ceux du second sentent l'avocat. Il ne s'agit plus de parler raison, mais de mener une plaidoirie, dans laquelle toutes les ressources de la rhétorique seront mises à contribution pour parvenir à la victoire. Le ton est plus haut. Il s'agit, comme il le dit, de faire monter le sang au visage des ennemis, plutôt que de le répandre. Tertulien manie avec art l'invective, l'ironie amère et féroce, la plaisanterie, l'argument "ad hominem" et le "tu quoque" c'est un digne élève de Cicéron, dans la langue duquel il transplante le christianisme, depuis le grec.
Ainsi les chrétiens seraient coupables d'ignominies ? Très bien, voyons donc ces païens ! Ah fi! Et ces donc ces hommes qui nous jugent ? Quelle plaisanterie! Et effectivement, les critiques de païens prennent une couleur bien ridicule. Les arguments de Tertulien font mouche, et la lecture est plaisante. Les raisons qu'il déploie pour défendre la liberté de conscience, la justice, et pour flétrir les abus de l'autorité sont magnifiquement bien amenées et disposées. On pourrait les transporter dans toute autre contexte où il faut combattre l'intolérance et l'injustice, elles feraient vraiment très bonne figure.
Mais Tertulien fait feu de tout bois. Il veut une victoire totale : pas question de rien céder aux païens, fussent-ils philosophes. C'est en vrai Lucien qu'il ironise sur la mort de Socrate, qu'il se moque du fait que Démocrite se soit crevé les yeux pour échapper à la concupiscence, alors que les chrétiens peuvent souffrir la vue des femmes sans avoir l'âme nullement troublée. Mais que fit Origène, sous l'empire de la même crainte ? Et qui a dit, si ton œil droit est une occasion de chute, arrache le et jette le loin de toi ? Ne craignant pas la surenchère, il multiplie les attaques, pas toujours à bon escient. Ainsi en morale, il ne craint pas d'être exigent, car il faut l'emporter sur les mœurs dissolus des païens : l'homme nait pour sa femme exclusivement, non seulement l'exposition d'enfant, mais l'avortement est également interdit; bref, la rigueur est de mise.
Il évoque aussi très largement les démons, forcément mauvais, pour expliquer la divination, la magie et les miracles des païens. Le métier d'exorciste semble assez répandu pour que Tertulien affirme que les chrétiens sont devenus indispensables. Sans doute l'argument qui maintenant me fera rire chaque fois que j'y songerai, c'est quand Tertulien avance qu'il faut mieux croire ce qui nous avantage que le contraire, lorsque qu'il montre tous les biens qui découleraient du fait que tous deviennent chrétiens. Sacrifier la vérité à l'intérêt! C'est aller tellement contre la prudence, car comme le dit Caïus César dans la guerre des Gaules, les hommes croient volontiers ce qu'ils désirent, or que désirent-ils moins que leur intérêt ? Mais sans doute s'est il laissé emporter par l'enthousiasme. Et enfin, un mauvais argument ne ruine pas une cause, il est juste à écarter.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié la foule de détails par lesquels il décrit la vie des membres de sa communauté : ainsi, en ce temps-là, les chrétiens se tournaient vers l'orient pour prier. On découvre les prières, les rites, les repas, les chants; On apprend comment l'argent récolté par les dons volontaires, sous la gouverne du plus sage, étaient utilisés pour venir au secours des nécessiteux, comme les orphelins ou les esclave âgés. Ces textes sont vraiment très instructifs, je regrette de ne pas avoir eu plus tôt la curiosité de les découvrir.
Ainsi les chrétiens seraient coupables d'ignominies ? Très bien, voyons donc ces païens ! Ah fi! Et ces donc ces hommes qui nous jugent ? Quelle plaisanterie! Et effectivement, les critiques de païens prennent une couleur bien ridicule. Les arguments de Tertulien font mouche, et la lecture est plaisante. Les raisons qu'il déploie pour défendre la liberté de conscience, la justice, et pour flétrir les abus de l'autorité sont magnifiquement bien amenées et disposées. On pourrait les transporter dans toute autre contexte où il faut combattre l'intolérance et l'injustice, elles feraient vraiment très bonne figure.
Mais Tertulien fait feu de tout bois. Il veut une victoire totale : pas question de rien céder aux païens, fussent-ils philosophes. C'est en vrai Lucien qu'il ironise sur la mort de Socrate, qu'il se moque du fait que Démocrite se soit crevé les yeux pour échapper à la concupiscence, alors que les chrétiens peuvent souffrir la vue des femmes sans avoir l'âme nullement troublée. Mais que fit Origène, sous l'empire de la même crainte ? Et qui a dit, si ton œil droit est une occasion de chute, arrache le et jette le loin de toi ? Ne craignant pas la surenchère, il multiplie les attaques, pas toujours à bon escient. Ainsi en morale, il ne craint pas d'être exigent, car il faut l'emporter sur les mœurs dissolus des païens : l'homme nait pour sa femme exclusivement, non seulement l'exposition d'enfant, mais l'avortement est également interdit; bref, la rigueur est de mise.
Il évoque aussi très largement les démons, forcément mauvais, pour expliquer la divination, la magie et les miracles des païens. Le métier d'exorciste semble assez répandu pour que Tertulien affirme que les chrétiens sont devenus indispensables. Sans doute l'argument qui maintenant me fera rire chaque fois que j'y songerai, c'est quand Tertulien avance qu'il faut mieux croire ce qui nous avantage que le contraire, lorsque qu'il montre tous les biens qui découleraient du fait que tous deviennent chrétiens. Sacrifier la vérité à l'intérêt! C'est aller tellement contre la prudence, car comme le dit Caïus César dans la guerre des Gaules, les hommes croient volontiers ce qu'ils désirent, or que désirent-ils moins que leur intérêt ? Mais sans doute s'est il laissé emporter par l'enthousiasme. Et enfin, un mauvais argument ne ruine pas une cause, il est juste à écarter.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié la foule de détails par lesquels il décrit la vie des membres de sa communauté : ainsi, en ce temps-là, les chrétiens se tournaient vers l'orient pour prier. On découvre les prières, les rites, les repas, les chants; On apprend comment l'argent récolté par les dons volontaires, sous la gouverne du plus sage, étaient utilisés pour venir au secours des nécessiteux, comme les orphelins ou les esclave âgés. Ces textes sont vraiment très instructifs, je regrette de ne pas avoir eu plus tôt la curiosité de les découvrir.
May 12, 2020
In chapter 39:
“Our feast explains itself by its name. The Greeks call it agapè, i.e., affection. Whatever it costs, our outlay in the name of piety is gain, since with the good things of the feast we benefit the needy; not as it is with you, do parasites aspire to the glory of satisfying their licentious propensities, selling themselves for a belly-feast to all disgraceful treatment,—but as it is with God himself, a peculiar respect is shown to the lowly. If the object of our feast be good, in the light of that consider its further regulations. As it is an act of religious service, it permits no vileness or immodesty. The participants, before reclining, taste first of prayer to God. As much is eaten as satisfies the cravings of hunger; as much is drunk as befits the chaste. They say it is enough, as those who remember that even during the night they have to worship God; they talk as those who know that the Lord is one of their auditors. After manual ablution, and the bringing in of lights, each136 is asked to stand forth and sing, as he can, a hymn to God, either one from the holy Scriptures or one of his own composing,—a proof of the measure of our drinking. As the feast commenced with prayer, so with prayer it is closed. We go from it, not like troops of mischief-doers, nor bands of vagabonds, nor to break out into licentious acts, but to have as much care of our modesty and chastity as if we had been at a school of virtue rather than a banquet. Give the congregation of the Christians its due, and hold it unlawful, if it is like assemblies of the illicit sort: by all means let it be condemned, if any complaint can be validly laid against it, such as lies against secret factions.”
Also, it is very interesting how he uses Christians’ power to exorcise demons as one of his chief defenses for the validity of Christianity.
“Our feast explains itself by its name. The Greeks call it agapè, i.e., affection. Whatever it costs, our outlay in the name of piety is gain, since with the good things of the feast we benefit the needy; not as it is with you, do parasites aspire to the glory of satisfying their licentious propensities, selling themselves for a belly-feast to all disgraceful treatment,—but as it is with God himself, a peculiar respect is shown to the lowly. If the object of our feast be good, in the light of that consider its further regulations. As it is an act of religious service, it permits no vileness or immodesty. The participants, before reclining, taste first of prayer to God. As much is eaten as satisfies the cravings of hunger; as much is drunk as befits the chaste. They say it is enough, as those who remember that even during the night they have to worship God; they talk as those who know that the Lord is one of their auditors. After manual ablution, and the bringing in of lights, each136 is asked to stand forth and sing, as he can, a hymn to God, either one from the holy Scriptures or one of his own composing,—a proof of the measure of our drinking. As the feast commenced with prayer, so with prayer it is closed. We go from it, not like troops of mischief-doers, nor bands of vagabonds, nor to break out into licentious acts, but to have as much care of our modesty and chastity as if we had been at a school of virtue rather than a banquet. Give the congregation of the Christians its due, and hold it unlawful, if it is like assemblies of the illicit sort: by all means let it be condemned, if any complaint can be validly laid against it, such as lies against secret factions.”
Also, it is very interesting how he uses Christians’ power to exorcise demons as one of his chief defenses for the validity of Christianity.
November 18, 2022
Read in Patrologia Latina v. 1.
Tertullian writes in the second century to defend Christianity from its persecutors, pointing out the baselessness of accusations against Christians and the legal absurdity of their persecution.
His learned use of secular heathen history, along with skill in showing the inconsistency of his opponents, set a good precedent for later apologists.
In terms of doctrine, Tertullian's understanding of Christianity is simple, and at times moralistic. He does not express a clear theory of the atonement or of justification. But his statements on Christianity are still of some use in opposing the later corruptions of the Roman Church on some points; for example, Tertullian asserts that the Church is governed by elders.
Tertullian writes in the second century to defend Christianity from its persecutors, pointing out the baselessness of accusations against Christians and the legal absurdity of their persecution.
His learned use of secular heathen history, along with skill in showing the inconsistency of his opponents, set a good precedent for later apologists.
In terms of doctrine, Tertullian's understanding of Christianity is simple, and at times moralistic. He does not express a clear theory of the atonement or of justification. But his statements on Christianity are still of some use in opposing the later corruptions of the Roman Church on some points; for example, Tertullian asserts that the Church is governed by elders.
February 21, 2017
Tertullian was used by God to make an apologetic for the Church against persecution by the Roman state. Chapter by chapter he picks apart their beef with the church to show the church and the early Christians completely unworthy of Rome's accusations. In doing so, he points out the obvious that the only real reason Rome persecuted the early church was because they gave allegiance to Jesus and not to Caesar. Other parts of the book interacted more with the prevailing philosophies to show the truth of the Christian faith. These parts are a little tougher to read because those philospophies are not as predomominant, though the truths of the Faith are eternal.
February 6, 2019
C’est certainement le père avec le plus de rhétorique que j’aie pu lire jusqu’à maintenant. Son apologie des chrétiens est si persuasive qu’on ressent de la peine à la place des magistrats de l’Empire qui ont dû persécuter les chrétiens après l’avoir lu. En effet, il est impossible qu’ils aient pu le faire sans reproche de leur raison. Tertullien montre sans aucun doute que leur persécution est injuste.
May 17, 2019
Even being a book writte in a time where the narratives had a very circular characterist (due to they being written to be spoken loudly, not to be read in silence), the style of Tertulian is actually quite pleasant. The manuscript have many insights into the life and persecutions suffered by christians, by someone that himself was a roman lawyer whose dedication to defend those that were persecuted originated this book.
June 14, 2020
Other than some escatological musings near the end which didn't sound right, this is a remarkable trinitarian defense of the faith. He explains the origins of the "Alexander Prays to His God" graffiti motif, he repudiates the rumors against christians, he attacks abortion, he does everything you'd want to see in an early defense of the faith, besides some works-righteousness.
August 10, 2019
Tertullianus was a critical lawyer and scholar but that's what it took to steer emperors and scholars to the truth of the gospel.
May 8, 2020
Pretty good.
December 20, 2020
Mettendo da parte i pregiudizi nei confronti dell'autore, ho trovato la lettura molto scorrevole e di semplice comprensione. Aiuta a capire molto l'epoca ed il perché i cristiani furono perseguitati.
September 20, 2023
Punchy and full of insight into the early church. Tertullian wants to help the Romans understand the character of Christians. He argues that Christians are not guilty of incest or other crimes. Their only 'crime' is refusing to call the emperor a god. Tertullian argues that Christians are more for the emperor than the Romans are as they pray for him and acknowledge that he is appointed by God. He attacks the sin/greed/violence and promiscuity of the empire as well as the persecution of Christian who are being unjustly punished for simply bearing the name Christian. "The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed".
There is a problematic comment at the end of the book which links martyrdom to "complete forgiveness".
At the same time, there are some beautiful descriptions of the church both in its nature and form:
"We are a body knit together as such by a common religious profession, by a unity of discipline, and by the bond of a common hope"
"It is... the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand on us. See, they say, how they love one another"
After being investigated by a Roman official, "he found in the religious services nothing but meeting at early morning for singing hymns to Christ and God and sealing home their way of life by a united pledge to be faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty and other crimes"
There is a problematic comment at the end of the book which links martyrdom to "complete forgiveness".
At the same time, there are some beautiful descriptions of the church both in its nature and form:
"We are a body knit together as such by a common religious profession, by a unity of discipline, and by the bond of a common hope"
"It is... the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand on us. See, they say, how they love one another"
After being investigated by a Roman official, "he found in the religious services nothing but meeting at early morning for singing hymns to Christ and God and sealing home their way of life by a united pledge to be faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty and other crimes"
October 29, 2024
This might be one of my favorite writings from the early apologists. Tertullian is well trained in rhetoric and this shows in his writing. The book is logically flows and his argument is clear without any random rabbit trails. The book is a defense of Christianity and an appeal to halt the persecutions. He points out their logical inconsistencies, why Christians cannot have committed these alleged crimes, what Christians actually believe, and why the Roman religion is misguided and wrong.
His theology is richly orthodox and helpful. I did not see any hints of Montanism. He gives a great description of an average Sunday with more description than even Justin Martyrs. Near the end a lot of his writing about martyrdom and death was almost devotional. While he wants persecution to stop, he is not afraid of death. This is where is famous quote "the blood of Christians is seed" comes from.
He also has some of my best sarcastic quips that I have read. I'm always on the lookout for funny ways the Patristics insult people, but his often made me laugh out loud.
This would be a great place to start if you want to read some early apologetic works. However, it is on the longer side and you might want to look elsewhere if you need a shorter introduction.
His theology is richly orthodox and helpful. I did not see any hints of Montanism. He gives a great description of an average Sunday with more description than even Justin Martyrs. Near the end a lot of his writing about martyrdom and death was almost devotional. While he wants persecution to stop, he is not afraid of death. This is where is famous quote "the blood of Christians is seed" comes from.
He also has some of my best sarcastic quips that I have read. I'm always on the lookout for funny ways the Patristics insult people, but his often made me laugh out loud.
This would be a great place to start if you want to read some early apologetic works. However, it is on the longer side and you might want to look elsewhere if you need a shorter introduction.
December 8, 2024
Rather good fun to read. If its translation is true to the original, it's coloquially fantastic. All about the isolationist approach of Christianity during the 'persecution' period of the century before the (forged) Donation of Constantine. Tertullian speaks of all sorts, from the Pliny-Trajan correspondence, to why Christians are the empire's best asset, despite their refusal to fight in the Roman army in convention of the commandment not to kill. At a time where letters were only really the pieces of minority Christian understanding, Tertullian brings early Christian attitudes to life; a sort of enactment of the Saeculum Augustine recognises.
December 30, 2022
I read this for uni and I'm counting it because school has stopped me from reading for weeks now and I'm bitter about it.
my thoughts on it are, it was surprisingly witty and sarcastic in places but in others it got annoyingly preachy - which probably isn't too surprising due to the nature of the text.
my thoughts on it are, it was surprisingly witty and sarcastic in places but in others it got annoyingly preachy - which probably isn't too surprising due to the nature of the text.
June 6, 2024
Interesting early Christian apologetic addressed to Roman pagans.
May 23, 2022
This book gives you a glimpse of what life was like in the early church. One of the biggest takeaways I got from this short book is the war between cultures' desires for idols and the Christian's faithfulness to the one true God. There is a lot we can learn from the early days.
October 17, 2013
Tosco. À resenha, então!
April 26, 2014
It was well thought-out, a good insight into history, but I just found it a bit boring.
November 14, 2014
Molto interessante, sopratutto per il paragone tra il culto cristiano con e quello imperiale. L'edizione con affianco il latino è fantastica.
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August 19, 2018Out of the books by Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, this one is the best so far. The Apology is passionately written and appeals mostly to common sense rather than scripture or philosophy. Along with his arguments, there's a lot to learn about how Romans viewed Christians, and how the early church responded.
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