January 2010: Tertullian

January 2010: Tertullian

We remember in January 2010, the lawyer...that fiery North African, Christian apologist, Tertullian.

Later in life, regrettably, he became an enthusiast and Montanist, the equivalent of a modern-day supremactic Pentecostalist...or what Luther would call a Schwarmer...proof that even intelligence does not preclude one from falling on one's theological sword.

We offer some discursive thoughts.

Tertullian is important, however, for some other observations.

For example, Tertullian exclaimed: “All your ingenious cruelties can accomplish nothing; they are only a lure to this sect. Our number increases the more you destroy us. The blood of the Christians is their seed" (Context: persecutions).

Concerning the early church, the moral earnestness of the Christians contrasted powerfully with the prevailing corruption of the age. Gibbons in The Rise and Decline of the Roman Empire notes this contrast between Christians and non-Christians. Light and day. "Good deeds" (Mt.5.16) shon in the darkness, the fruit of justifying faith.

In those times of persecution, then, as now, the Gospel extended to the the poor and oppressed, demonstrating its redeeming and comforting power. This afternoon, we sent a prayer list of those persecuted throughout the world. We think of parts of Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia. Or the bombing of an Egyptian Church during Christmas season, 2010. We think of the theological repressions in Italy. (We also think of the enslavement of the oppressed, enslaved to Pentecostal madness and who need liberation.) These persecuted saints, like our English Reformers, have something Americans know nothing about.

We have the poor and less educated amongst us.

But on the other hand, we remember that Nicodemus, St. Luke the Gospeller, Joseph of Arimathae, the apostle Paul, the proconsul Sergius Paulus, Dionysius of Athens, Erastus of Corinth, and members of the imperial household were counted among the earlier followers of Christ, holding esteemed and elevated positions in their times...each had their sphere of influence in a pagan context. We have the elevated amongst us too. So, whether high or low, both shon in darkness with effect. Every place, station, level and rank is infinitely below the sovereignty, dignity and majesty of the Triune God.

Speaking of the elevated, as it were, those who suffered during Emperor Domitian's furious rage were his own family members, Flavia Domitilla and husband Flavius Clemens.

This is something that Mr. H.L. Mecken, the witty and sarcastic 20th century commentator missed...something that would be lost on this dark-souled unbeliever, to wit, that living witnesses bore fruit and cast light during their times...men, women and children of all places, ranks and positions.

Philip Schaff offers another reminder:

"...the oldest part of the Catacomb of Callistus, which is named after St. Lucina, members of the illustrious gens Pomponia, and perhaps also of the Flavian house, are interred. The senatorial and equestrian orders furnished several converts open or concealed."[i]

Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, Pliny laments that men of every rank (omnis ordinis) in Asia) had become Christians. Such may be said of our time. We are everywhere and we must encourage ourselves along these lines.

As an Anglican in the American exile, for example, one may be encouraged by the Protestant and Reformed witness of Bishop Orombi of Uganda. Men, women and children, by the millions, of every sort, are Bible-believing Anglicans.

According to Schaff, similarly, Tertullian asserted that one tenth of Carthage (which had a large population) had “among them senators and ladies of the noblest descent and the nearest relatives of the proconsul of Africa” who had professed Christianity. So, Mr. Mencken can take an hike in one respect (in another, however, he is right on re: anti-intellectualism amongst the descendants of the Second Great Awakening: Baptists, Fundamentalists, Pentecostalists and others).

My Congressmen (3rd District-NC), Walter Jones, is such a man and has expressed his faith in the clearest of terms.

As to the doctrine of predestination and preaching the Gospel, as the English Churchman has noted, the doctrine of election was of comfort to evangelical Anglicans laboring in poor parts of the country. Obversely, the same doctrine is of comfort in speaking God's sovereign Word to leaders and those of greater position and income. That must be done also.

As such, the elect will be justified in God's due time, assuredly. This was of comfort to Paul at Corinth (Acts 18). God has His people everywhere, top to bottom. This applies to Queens at Buckingham Palace as well as dishwashers at Wendy’s.

Tertullian (150-220 A.D.?) puts it this way in his Apology,

"We are a people of yesterday and yet we have filled every place belonging to you—cities, islands, castles, towns, assemblies, your very camp, your tribes, companies, palace, senate, forum! We leave you your temples only. We can count your armies; our numbers in a single province will be greater."

Christ's Church is global, catholic, and encompasses all whom He has elected--from every station, nation, rank and position.

The means of grace are the same---God's Word and God's sacraments, faithfully administered.
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[i] Philip Schaff, The History of Christianity, Volume 2 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1994), 15.