The Shameful Act: Marriage and Sexual Intimacy in Tertullian of Carthage (Studies in the Ancient Church)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Tertullian of Carthage is well-known for having had a significant influence on the development of theology in the Latin-speaking western portion of the Roman Empire. Much attention has been paid in recent years to Tertullian’s views on women, but little has yet been said about his views on marriage and sexuality. Though connections between his views on marriage and those of later thinkers are less clear than in other branches of theology, largely due to the controversial nature of his views on second marriage, his influence is still felt in thinkers such as Cyril and Jerome.
As with many areas of his theology, Tertullian’s writings on marriage and sex contain intriguing tensions or paradoxes across his corpus. In some places, he praises marriage as a positive good, and at other times he reduces it to little more than fornication. This study examines Tertullian’s writings on marriage and sexuality in light of the context of Roman sexual mores, seeking to more clearly establish his views on the subject and the reasoning behind those views, ultimately suggesting that his theology of marriage and sex may have its roots more in cultural than in Scriptural concerns.
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- Examines Tertullian’s writings on marriage and sexuality in light of the context of Roman sexual mores.
- Seeks to establish his views on the subject and the reasoning behind those views.
- Suggests that his theology of marriage and sex may have its roots more in cultural than in Scriptural concerns.
- 1. Roman Views of Sexuality & Marriage
- 2. Tertullian’s Writings on Marriage & Sex
- 3. Tensions & Possible Solutions
Tertullian is certainly a significant early Christian voice. Yet despite (or perhaps because of!) his varied corpus of writings and many passionate opinions, there remain conundrums among scholars regarding Tertullian’s actual views. In this brief study, Hannah Turrill addresses one of those areas: Tertullian’s perception of marriage and sexual intimacy. From the cultural backgrounds and authors that informed his views, to the ways that his opinions may well have changed over time, this book adeptly surveys scholarship, reads Tertullian with alacrity, attends well to cultural and literary contexts, and makes insightful contributions to the ongoing scholarly conversation. A concise yet noteworthy book indeed!
—Megan DeVore, Professor of Church History and Early Christian Studies, Colorado Christian University
Students of the Church Fathers usually find their writing on marriage and sexuality foreign and disagreeable. Tetullian of Carthage is a case in point. As Hannah Turrill notes, ‘his views on marriage and sexuality are something of a conundrum.’ Turrill’s little book on Tertullian helps us to make sense of the conundrum by analyzing his writing on marriage and sexuality and locating his views in his ecclesial and social-cultural context. She shows us why we must read the Church Fathers in context and, in doing so, reminds us to consider the influence of our own ecclesial and socialcultural contexts.
—David Robinson, Senior Pastor, Westminster Chapel, Toronto; Adjunct Professor, Tyndale University
- Title: The Shameful Act: Marriage and Sexual Intimacy in Tertullian of Carthage (Studies in the Ancient Church)
- Author: Hannah Turrill
- Series: Studies in the Ancient Church
- Publisher: Hesed & Emet
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Pages: 79
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- ISBNs: 9781774840726, 1774840723
- Resource ID: LLS:SHMFLCTTRTCRTHG
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-27T22:10:37Z