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Tertullian's Treatise Against Hermogenes

Loyola School of Theology
(Ateneo de Manila, Katipunan Ave, Loyola Heights, Q.C.)

Tertullian's Treatise against Hermogenes
Quintus Septimus Florens Tertullianus

Church History

Submitted to:
Fr. Antonio De Castro, SJ

Submitted by:
Marjeo L. Delfin, OMI

October 5, 2007
Chapter I
Introduction

When we think of something original, we think of something that is new, expensive, and innovative. Sometimes originality is coupled with authenticity. Moreover, we also think of its chronological dimension before we consider something as original. Tertullian is someone like whom every theologian would consider as blunt, innovative, authoritative and original. He is described as someone who "laminated fusion of arguments and scriptures in a way which breaks new ground." He is a person with a distinct personality who is known as the first Latin theologian who is known well in the West. He is an innovator who made his own way of saying things by using the common words and arranging them in such a way that it suits well to everybody's inner disposition with conviction.
He is also "the most prolific of the Latin Fathers. Of the fiery and rugged temperament, he is by nature a rebel and would hardly have fitted happily into any milieu." He wrote a number of works, which manifest his seemingly undesirable personality yet came out to be productive in the realm of theology and history of the church. One of those writings is Adversus Hermogenem, a doctrinal and polemical writing against the Gnostic and painter named Hermogenes. In that work, he defended vigorously the doctrine of creation which Hermogenes interpreted in a heretical manner. This paper would, therefore, disclose the argumentation between these two ancient personalities who throw from every possible points, different ways of thinking about opposing factors; God and matter, theology and philosophy, and science and scripture.
a. The church in the time of Tertullian
In understanding the life and...