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Onthisrock84
Guest
I have been reading a lot of writings of the Church Fathers and was really inspired by the writings of Tertullian in ante Nicene literature. I have come to realize he isn’t regarded as a saint. Why is that?
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Fauken
Guest
Probably because, if I remember correctly, he later fell into a heresy. I think it was Montanism.
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Wesrock
Guest
I did not mean to delete that post. I had a mouse spasm!
Tertullian in his later years became attracted to the schismatic sect of Montanism, and some of his later writings reflect this (even though he continued to vigorously oppose the gnostic heresies). While he may not have ever left the Church or been excommunicated, it was enough to throw doubt on his orthodoxy at the end of his life and he’s never been revered as a saint. Note that this isn’t a judgment saying that he’s in hell. We don’t know. He may have needed extensive cleaning in Purgatory perhaps. He may be in heaven and we just don’t know it. Even so, his orthodox writings are still referenced extensively.
Tertullian in his later years became attracted to the schismatic sect of Montanism, and some of his later writings reflect this (even though he continued to vigorously oppose the gnostic heresies). While he may not have ever left the Church or been excommunicated, it was enough to throw doubt on his orthodoxy at the end of his life and he’s never been revered as a saint. Note that this isn’t a judgment saying that he’s in hell. We don’t know. He may have needed extensive cleaning in Purgatory perhaps. He may be in heaven and we just don’t know it. Even so, his orthodox writings are still referenced extensively.
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Onthisrock84
Guest
Thanks! That’s sad somewhat because his writings are cited in the CCC and other Church documents! It’s hard to blame him however. The first few centuries of Christianity were a very fluid time in the Faith and it could have been easy to fall into something that later on was deemed a heresy.
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stpurl
Guest
Or something that at the time was known to be a heresy.
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Onthisrock84
Guest
I don’t know much about Montanism. I studied a lot of Manicheaism in college but I think that wasn’t as much of a heresy as it was just a separate world religion somewhat like Islam. Used many of the same stories and prophets but to different to be called a Christian sect.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
You have to remember that even if he is not recognized as a saint by the Church, he may very well be in Heaven anyway, especially if his error in falling into a heresy was just because of some confusion.
The Church doesn’t recognize and publicly venerate people who go down a heretical path for any reason, but God may have a deeper understanding of the situation and in His mercy welcome such a person to heaven.
The Church doesn’t recognize and publicly venerate people who go down a heretical path for any reason, but God may have a deeper understanding of the situation and in His mercy welcome such a person to heaven.
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JanSobieskiIII
Guest
Islam is itself a heresysomewhat like Islam.
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Onthisrock84
Guest
I don’t disagree. However it is far enough from Christianity that it can’t really be said to even be Christian. At least they don’t claim to be either unlike other groups like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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Onthisrock84
Guest
Yah that’s true.
I just thought it was interesting that someone whose writings are cited in the Catechism and also the Liturgy of the Hours could hence not be a saint. Interesting.
I just thought it was interesting that someone whose writings are cited in the Catechism and also the Liturgy of the Hours could hence not be a saint. Interesting.
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stpurl
Guest
Well, one of the highest-regarded books for Catholics is The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis. He isn’t a saint, either.
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