On the Veiling of Virgins

Tertullian of Carthage · c. 207 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. Truth Rather to Be Appealed to Than Custom, and Truth Progressive in Its Developments.
2. Before Proceeding Farther, Let the Question of Custom Itself Be Sifted.
3. Gradual Development of Custom, and Its Results.  Passionate Appeal to Truth.
4. Of the Argument Drawn from 1 Cor. XI. 5-16.
5. Of the Word Woman, Especially in Connection with Its Application to Eve.
6. The Parallel Case of Mary Considered.
7. Of the Reasons Assigned by the Apostle for Bidding Women to Be Veiled.
8. The Argument E Contrario.
9. Veiling Consistent with the Other Rules of Discipline Observed by Virgins and Women in General.
10. If the Female Virgins are to Be Thus Conspicuous, Why Not the Male as Well?
11. The Rule of Veiling Not Applicable to Children.
12. Womanhood Self-Evident, and Not to Be Concealed by Just Leaving the Head Bare.
13. If Unveiling Be Proper, Why Not Practise It Always, Out of the Church as Well as in It?
14. Perils to the Virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.
15. Of Fascination.
16. Tertullian, Having Shown His Defence to Be Consistent with Scripture, Nature, and Discipline, Appeals to the Virgins Themselves.
17. An Appeal to the Married Women.
18. Elucidations.