Tertullian, Montanism, and Reflections on Baptism Flashcards
Who was Tertullian (writings date 190-220)?
He was a church father from Carthage (not according to the Roman Catholics, because is was a montanist), well educated and rhetorically trained
In which categories did he wrote?
- polemic (for instance: against Marcion)
- apologetics (for instance: critique of Trajan’s policy regarding the persecutions)
- ethics: (for instance: dress, veilings of the virgins, marriage, martyrdom, asceticism -> lifestyle)
- theology: (for instance: on prayer, on incarnation, on baptism)
Where did we see the influence of montanism?
in the theme of ethics: pre and post Montanist phases in Tertullians work
What was montanism?
- origin in Phrygia
- leader: Montanus, sees himself as the promised Paraclete/Comforter
- two female prophetic figures: Maximilla and Priscilla
- Charismatic, apocalyptic movement
- The members of the movement expected the imminent return of Christ (Second Coming)
- believed in an ongoing process of God’s revelation -> rigorists
- critical of the organized and insitutionalized leadership of the church
How was Latinisation an important aspect of Tertullians work?
He developed a form of Christianized Latin in three ways:
* transliterations (graecisms, e.g. ecclesia)
* neologisms (e.g. trinitas)
* words which received a new semantic value (e.g. sacramentum)
How did the definition of the Trinity become famous?
He tried to explain in Latin: una substantia, tres personae
Why is Tertullian opposed to infant baptism?
Baptism is necessary for salvation. Forgiveness of (deadly) sins is impossible after baptism unless one dies a martyr’s death. Martyrdom is seen as a baptism in the blood or as a second baptism.
What were characteristics of Tertullians work?
rhetorical, strict/rigorist, enthousiastic/charismatic, sectarian, negative, lot of words, contrasts
