Fiery early Christian defense and sharp legal mind meet in this compact study of Tertullian. This volume introduces the life and work of Tertullian, a towering figure of the early Church, born in Carthage and trained as a lawyer. It traces his conversion, ordination as a presbyter, and his later turn toward the Montanist movement, all while highlighting his skill with Latin and Greek and his vivid rhetorical style. The two key treatises reprinted here—De Testimonio Animae and De Praescriptione Haereticorum—were written while he remained a loyal church member, offering insight into his polemical approach and his fierce commitment to orthodox faith. - Learn how a legal training shaped Tertullian’s arguments and writing - Understand his stance on Scripture, heresy, and church discipline - See how his temperament and theological ideas influenced his later appeals and defenses - Explore the context of his life in Karthage, Rome, and the North African church Ideal for readers of early Christian history, church history, and classic apologetics seeking a compact, academically informed portrait of a foundational thinker.
