• What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church?
    The famous line
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    Tertullian, The Prescription against Heretics 7Ante-Nicene Fathers 3: Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian
    These are “the doctrines” of men and “of demons”7 produced for itching ears of the spirit of this world’s wisdom: this the Lord called “foolishness,”8 and “chose the foolish things of the world” to confound even philosophy itself. For (philosophy) it is which is the material of the world’s wisdom, the rash interpreter of the nature and the dispensation
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    1. However, it is a fundamental human right, a privilege of nature, that every man should worship according to his own convictions: one man’s religion neither harms nor helps another man. It is assuredly
      Tertullian on religious liberty
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      Tertullian, To Scapula 2Ante-Nicene Fathers 3: Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian
      We are worshippers of one God, of whose existence and character Nature teaches all men; at whose lightnings and thunders you tremble, whose benefits minister to your happiness. You think that others, too, are gods, whom we know to be devils. However, it is a fundamental human right, a privilege of nature, that every man should worship according to his own convictions: one man’s religion neither harms nor helps another man. It is assuredly no part of religion to compel religion—to which free-will
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      1. His argument is interesting. 1. He bases religious freedom upon Natural Law, He likely derived this principle from the scripture, yet seems to argue this principle on philosophic grounds since even his opponents should recognize this principle. 2. He affirms that other so-called gods are demonic in origin. Therefore, all religions, other than Christianity, are equidistant from the true God. 3. The statement "one man's religion neither harms nor helps another man." I understand the consequent of inability to "compel religion." At the most basic level, I disagree that religion neither harms nor helps. For example, the history of the church affirms the good things (and bad0 done in the name of Christ. For example, hospitals, Braille, and the motivations of religious people in disaster relief. Yet, religion can harm - witness radical Islam in our day and the Inquisitions in "Christian" history.

      2. Well said, professor.

    2. What has Athens to do with Jerusalem? Does this quote value philosophy? 1. seek to understand the condition of faith? 2. the reasons of the truth? 3. Does the "pleasures of the public shows" include Super Bowl?

      1. To both things, perhaps, some among you are allured by the views of the heathens who in this matter are wont to press us with arguments, such as these: (1) That the exquisite enjoyments of ear and eye
        The thesis of DE SPECTACULIS (the shows)
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        Tertullian, The Shows 1Ante-Nicene Fathers 3: Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian
        Ye Servants of God, about to draw near to God. that you may make solemn consecration of yourselves to Him,2 seek well to understand the condition of faith, the reasons of the Truth, the laws of Christian Discipline, which forbid among other sins of the world, the pleasures of the public shows. Ye who have testified and confessed3 that you have done so already, review the subject, that there may be no sinning whether through real or wilful ignorance. For such is the power of earthly pleasures,
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        1. But
          The the thesis of DE SPECTACULIS (The shows)
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          Tertullian, The Shows 1Ante-Nicene Fathers 3: Latin Christianity: Its Founder, Tertullian
          Ye Servants of God, about to draw near to God. that you may make solemn consecration of yourselves to Him,2 seek well to understand the condition of faith, the reasons of the Truth, the laws of Christian Discipline, which forbid among other sins of the world, the pleasures of the public shows. Ye who have testified and confessed3 that you have done so already, review the subject, that there may be no sinning whether through real or wilful ignorance. For such is the power of earthly pleasures,
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          1. I am reading through Tertullian at the moment. Any interest in reading with me?