Christian Tradition, Study Guide

Tertullian and Controversies


READINGS modified: ANT on heresy and women

  • Tertullian:  Prescription of the Heretics (text 32/rev ed text 36): intro, chapters 1, 6, 7, 13, 19, 38
  • Tertullian:  On the Flesh of Christ (text 33/rev ed text 37): intro, chapters 1, 2, 17
  • Tertullian:  Against Praxeas (text 34/rev ed text 38)
  • Tertullian: On the Dress of Women (rev ed text 88)
  • Tertullian:  To His Wife (text 72/rev ed text 92)

Important people, terms, and concepts; know their significance for Christianity (some from previous class lecture)

Tertullian (who is is and put him on a map)
Montanism
Trinity (including Tertullian on the trinity)
Tertullian on women
Tertullian on marriage and sexuality
Tertullian on faith (rule of faith) vs philosophy
Sibellianism/modalism
Tritheism
catholic (core term that may repeat on quizzes this semester)

Study questions for class discussion:

Compare and contrast Tertullian’s attitude toward philosophy in text 32/36 to Justin Martyr’s attitude (which we studied earlier in the semester).

 

 

 

In Texts 33, 34/ 37, 38, :  What does Tertullian say is the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  Are they the same? Different?  How is Jesus both human and divine?

 

 

 

 

Why does all of this matter, according to Tertullian?  What is at stake in this issue of whether Jesus is God the Father, or Jesus is human, Jesus is divine?

 

 

 

 

 

What is Tertullian’s view of women?  What is his view of women’s sexuality and procreation?  (Letter to his wife & On the Dress of Women)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are welcome to bring any other questions/discussion topics to class as well.