Justin Martyr And Tertullian

In the emergence of the early church, Greek philosophy was permeating the known world and gave rise to a great debate for the inclusion or exclusion of philosophy in theology and doctrine. Among the early theologians, Justin Martyr and Tertullian stood at opposite ends of the spectrum by viewing differently the value of philosophy in theology. Justin Martyr argued that all true philosophy was from God, thereby Christian. Where as, Tertullian adamantly rejected philosophy because of the heresy it introduced into the church. Later, Augustine of Hippo argued for an admittance of good philosophy and the rejection of bad philosophy. Although there are almost 200 years separating Augustine from Justin Martyr and Tertullian, it appears that the church became more inclusive of philosophy during that space of time. Certainly, there were areas of agreement between the three as well as their disagreements.

However, there is great difference when he goes on to say, “Whatever either lawyers or philosophers have said well was articulated by finding and reflecting upon some aspect of Logos.”2 Author Alister McGrath points out that Justin Martyr alludes to calling Socrates a Christian in this line of thinking.3 This is where Tertullian would greatly object by stating, “Philosophy provides the material if worldly wisdom, in boldly asserting itself to be the interpreter of the divine nature and dispensation.”4 In stating so, Tertullian slams the door on any use of philosophy and further states that all heresy in the church has come from worldly philosophy.5 Certainly the two stand far apart in their view of philosophy and