“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition…and not according to Christ.” Col. 2:8

One of the stellar personalities of the Early Church, in my opinion, was Tertullian (AD c.160-c.215/220). As a young man growing up in Carthage, he received a superior education in rhetoric, literature, philosophy, Latin, and Greek. Once he became a Christian in his late thirties he put all of that knowledge to use in defending the faith. Over the years he wrote many treatises on a multitude of subjects–polemical, theological, and practical. But, at the center of his vast literary output was his zeal at rigorously challenging the opponents of Christianity. Here is an example of his skillful defense,

“He [Paul] has been at Athens and had in his interviews with its philosophers become acquainted with the human wisdom which pretends to know the truth. In fact it only corrupts it and is itself divided into its own multiple heresies by the variety of its mutually hostile sects. What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church? What have heretics to do with Christians? Our instruction comes from the porch of Solomon, who himself taught that the Lord should be sought in simplicity of heart. Away with all attempts to produce a Stoic, Platonic and dialectic Christianity. We want no curious disputation after possessing Christ Jesus, no speculation after enjoying the gospel. With our faith we desire no further belief. For this is our prime belief: that there is nothing more that we should believe besides.”

— Tertullian, On the Prescription of Heretics, 7; quoted in Lane, A Concise History of Christian Thought, 16-17.

Consider Tertullian’s penetrating question–“What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” This is a core concept that all Christians must recognize. We should certainly be familiar with pagan ideas, but we should never embrace them alongside of our Christian convictions. Any attempt at religious syncretism leads to despair and destruction. Jesus said it best, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24). Therefore, you are either for Christ or against Him. Give this line of reasoning some careful thought and see if you agree with logic of Tertullian.

As one of the “heirs” of the Protestant Reformation who happily embraces the theology of Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Zwingli, Tyndale, Calvin, and Knox, I could never imagine myself mixing the thoughts of Zeno, Plato, and Aristotle with my faith in Jesus Christ! Such a strange concoction would surely be an offense to God and harmful to me. Let me exhort you, then, to resolve never to incorporate philosophical speculation with your belief in Jesus Christ. After all, “What indeed does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?”

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Greg Bahnsen first introduced me to Tertullian along with Tim Dowley’s History of Christianity. Frame gives a helpful summary of Tertullian’s life and theology.

Resources for further Study:

Bahnsen, Greg L. Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Christian Faith. Robert R. Booth, ed. Atlanta, GA: American Vision and Texarkana, AR: Covenant Media Foundation, 1996.

Dowley, Tim, ed. The History of Christianity: A Lion Handbook. Revised Edition. Oxford, UK: Lion Publishing, 1990.

Frame, John M. A History of Western Philosophy and Theology. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015.

Greenslade, Stanley L., ed. Early Latin Theology: Selections From Tertullian, Cyprian, Ambrose and Jerome. Library of Christian Classics, Vol. 5. Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press, 1956.

Lane, Anthony. A Concise History of Christian Thought. Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006.