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On Monogamy

Tertullian of Carthage · c. 213 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

  1. Different Views in Regard to Marriage Held by Heretics, Psychic, and Spiritualists.
  2. The Spiritualists Vindicated from the Charge of Novelty.
  3. The Question of Novelty Further Considered in Connection with the Words of the Lord and His Apostles.
  4. Waiving Allusion to the Paraclete, Tertullian Comes to the Consideration of the Ancient Scriptures, and Their Testimony on the Subject in Hand.
  5. Connection of These Primeval Testimonies with Christ.
  6. The Case of Abraham, and Its Bearing on the Present Question.
  7. From Patriarchal, Tertullian Comes to Legal, Precedents.
  8. From the Law Tertullian Comes to the Gospel.  He Begins with Examples Before Proceeding to Dogmas.
  9. From Examples Tertullian Passes to Direct Dogmatic Teachings.  He Begins with the Lord's Teaching.
  10. St. Paul's Teaching on the Subject.
  11. Further Remarks Upon St. Paul's Teaching.
  12. The Explanation of the Passage Offered by the Psychics Considered.
  13. Further Objections from St. Paul Answered.
  14. Even If the Permission Had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense Which the Psychics Allege, It Was Merely Like the Mosaic Permission of Divorce--A Condescension to Human Hard-Heartedness.
  15. Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with Harshness.  The Charge Rather to Be Retorted Upon the Psychics.
  16. Weakness of the Pleas Urged in Defence of Second Marriage.
  17. Heathen Examples Cry Shame Upon This “Infirmity of the Flesh.”
  18. Elucidations.