Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Simplicity and perfection: end and beginning; 2. The puzzle: Athens and Jerusalem; 3. The paradox: credible because inept; 4. Strife of opposites and faith as recognition; 5. Antithesis in one God: against Marcion; 6. Trinity and christology: against praxeas; 7. Prayer and the Bible; 8. Mankind's two natures and a sordid church; 9. Argument and humour: Hermogenes and the Valentinians; 10. Promise of laughter, judgment of hell; 11. Ethics of conflict; Conclusion; Bibliography; Indexes.

Promotional Information

A major reappraisal of the theology of the second-century Christian thinker, Tertullian.

Reviews

"Osborn has written what is quite simply the best introduction to the thought of Tertullian in any language." T. D. Barnes, Theological Studies "This highly readable and comprehensive work is a model of how historical theology should be done." Commonwealth "This is a book to be read, to ponder, and to order for college, university, and seminary library." David P. Efroymson, Journal of Early Christian Studies "With this work on Tertullian, E. Osborn makes a welcome addition to his earlier studies on Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria, as well as his others books on the development of early Christian theology, philosophy and moral thought." John Behr, St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly "...Osborn creates a welcome 'comic relief' from, and a very humane perspective upon, the high seriousness of his subject by a light but pervasive humor." Church History