THEOLOGIAN Apostolic & Patristic (30–451 AD) c. 155–220 AD Patristic (Apostolic)

Tertullian of Carthage

Father of Latin theology who coined 'Trinitas' and 'una substantia, tres personae'

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus was the founder of Western Latin theological terminology. In works like *Apology*, *Adversus Praxean*, and *De Praescriptione Haereticorum*, he coined the terms 'Trinitas' (Trinity), 'substantia' (substance), and 'persona' (person), while famously asking 'What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?'.

Geographical Center: Carthage, North Africa

Historical Context & Significance

Writing vigorously against Gnosticism (Marcion, Valentinus) and modalism (Praxeas), Tertullian in later life was drawn to the moral rigorism and prophetic enthusiasm of the Montanist movement (New Prophecy).

Genealogical Lineage & Splits

Root Origin

This movement or council is an early root foundation with no preceding parent split in the dataset.

Direct Offshoots & Descendants (1)

theologian

Cyprian of Carthage

Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus was bishop of Carthage during the Decian and Valerian persecutions. In his defining treatise *On the Unity of the Church* (De Ecclesiae Catholicae Unitate), he argued that the episcopate is a joint college holding unity in undivided shares, famously stating: 'He can no longer have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother'.

Theological & Hermeneutical Coordinates

Soteriology Faith, Repentance, and Moral Satisfaction

Hermeneutic Juridical Prescription against Heretics and Rule of Faith

Ecclesiology & Sacraments Believer Immersion ('De Baptismo') and Ascetic Purity

Eschatology Chiliastic Millennium and Bodily Resurrection

Primary Scripture Proof-Texts

Key biblical passages central to this tradition's exegesis and historical debates.

NT.MAT.28.19 → NT.1CO.1.20 → NT.JHN.10.30 →

Connected Theological Perspectives & Debates

Hermeneutics & Canon OT.GEN.1.1, OT.EXO.20.11, NT.COL.1.16

Creation Days & Biblical Cosmology

Universal Christian confession that God Almighty is the sole Creator of all things visible and invisible out of nothing (*creatio ex nihilo*).

Soteriology & Sacraments OT.ISA.53.4, NT.ROM.3.25, NT.COL.2.14

Atonement Models: Penal Substitution vs. Christus Victor

Universal confession that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and was raised for our justification according to the Scriptures.

Soteriology & Sacraments NT.MAT.28.19, NT.COL.2.11, NT.ACT.16.33

Baptism Subjects: Paedobaptism vs. Credobaptism

Universal confession that adult converts from paganism or unbelief must make a conscious profession of repentance and faith before receiving baptism.