On Fasting
Tertullian of Carthage · c. 210 AD
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Roberts–Donaldson), Roberts, Donaldson, and Coxe (eds.), Ante-Nicene Fathers, Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing, 1885–1887; digitized by CCEL.
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus; the first great Latin Christian writer. A North African of Carthage, trained in rhetoric and law; coined much of the Latin theological vocabulary the West later inherited (Trinitas, persona, substantia). His pre-Montanist works are widely cited and respected; his later embrace of the New Prophecy (Montanism) places him outside the catalogue of formally venerated saints, though he is treated honourably as a witness and theologian.
Contents
- Connection of Gluttony and Lust. Grounds of Psychical Objections Against the Montanists.
- Arguments of the Psychics, Drawn from the Law, the Gospel, the Acts, the Epistles, and Heathenish Practices.
- The Principle of Fasting Traced Back to Its Earliest Source.
- The Objection is Raised, Why, Then, Was the Limit of Lawful Food Extended After the Flood? The Answer to It.
- Proceeding to the History of Israel, Tertullian Shows that Appetite Was as Conspicuous Among Their Sins as in Adam's Case. Therefore the Restraints of the Levitical Law Were Imposed.
- The Physical Tendencies of Fasting and Feeding Considered. The Cases of Moses and Elijah.
- Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
- Examples of a Similar Kind from the New.
- From Fasts Absolute Tertullian Comes to Partial Ones and Xerophagies.
- Of Stations, and of the Hours of Prayer.
- Of the Respect Due to “Human Authority;” And of the Charges of “Heresy” And “Pseudo-Prophecy.”
- Of the Need for Some Protest Against the Psychics and Their Self-Indulgence.
- Of the Inconsistencies of the Psychics.
- Reply to the Charge of “Galaticism.“
- Of the Apostle's Language Concerning Food.
- Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self-Indulgent; And Appeals to the Practices of Heathens.
- Conclusion.
- Elucidations.