Writer of Carthage · c. 155 – c. 220

Tertullian

A writer of Carthage and the first major Christian author to write extensively in Latin. He wrote in defence of Christians and against what he judged to be heresy.

Writings

1. Apology

   The Apology

   A defence of Christians against the charges made in the courts and in the street.

   152 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

2. Treatise

   The Prescription Against Heretics

   Why heretics may not argue from Scripture at all: the Scriptures belong to the church that received them from the apostles.

   66 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

3. Treatise

   On Baptism

   The oldest surviving treatise on baptism: the water, the anointing, the laying on of hands, and who may baptise and when.

   32 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

4. Treatise

   On Prayer

   A short commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, phrase by phrase, followed by counsel on when and how Christians pray.

   32 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

5. Polemic · 5 parts

   Against Marcion

   Five books against Marcion, who rejected the Old Testament and its God: Tertullian argues that the Creator and the Father of Jesus Christ are one.

   647 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

6. Treatise

   On Idolatry

   Treatise by Tertullian.

   49 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

7. Treatise

   De Spectaculis (The Shows)

   Treatise by Tertullian.

   47 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

8. Treatise

   De Corona (The Chaplet)

   Treatise by Tertullian.

   38 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

9. Treatise · 2 parts

   Ad Nationes

   Treatise by Tertullian.

   127 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

10. Treatise

    An Answer to the Jews

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    77 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

11. Treatise

    The Soul's Testimony

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    17 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

12. Treatise

    A Treatise on the Soul

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    202 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

13. Treatise

    Against Hermogenes

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    86 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

14. Treatise

    Against the Valentinians

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    51 min read · translated by Alexander Roberts

15. Treatise

    On the Flesh of Christ

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    75 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

16. Treatise

    On the Resurrection of the Flesh

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    183 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

17. Treatise

    Against Praxeas

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    112 min read · translated by Peter Holmes

18. Treatise

    Scorpiace

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    61 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

19. Treatise

    Appendix (Against All Heresies)

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    17 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

20. Treatise

    On Repentance

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    31 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

21. Treatise

    The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    24 min read · translated by R.E. Wallis

22. Treatise

    Of Patience

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    34 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

23. Treatise

    On the Pallium

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    27 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

24. Treatise

    On the Apparel of Women

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    39 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

25. Treatise

    On the Veiling of Virgins

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    41 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

26. Treatise

    To His Wife

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    32 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

27. Treatise

    On Exhortation to Chastity

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    29 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

28. Treatise

    On Monogamy

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    52 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

29. Treatise

    On Modesty

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    103 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

30. Treatise

    On Fasting

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    44 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

31. Treatise

    De Fuga in Persecutione

    Treatise by Tertullian.

    40 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

32. Collection · 2 parts

    Other Writings

    Letters, homilies, sermons, commentaries, fragments and shorter pieces by Tertullian that are not published as books, in the order of the New Advent collection.

    22 min read · translated by S. Thelwall

Portrait: drawn in the site’s engraved style from “Tertullian2” (André Thevet), public domain, Wikimedia Commons.

All the Fathers