Tertullian
Tertullian (/tərˈtʌliən/; Latin: Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus; c. 155 – c. 220 AD) was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. He was the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. He was an early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy, including contemporary Christian Gnosticism. Tertullian has been called "the father of Latin Christianity", as well as "the founder of Western theology".
Tertullian | |
|---|---|
| Born | Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus 155 AD |
| Died | 220 AD (aged 64–65) Carthage, Roman Empire |
| Notable work | Apologeticus |
| Theological work | |
| Era | Patristic age |
| Tradition or movement | Trinitarianism |
| Main interests | Soteriology, traducianism |
| Notable ideas | Hypostasis, ousia, sacrament, consubstantiality, persona |
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| Catholic philosophy |
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Tertullian originated new theological concepts and advanced the development of early Church doctrine. He is perhaps most famous for being the first writer in Latin known to use the term trinity (Latin: trinitas). However, some of his teachings, such as the subordination of the Son and Spirit to the Father, were later rejected by the Church. He later apostasized and joined the Montanist sect.