Complete Works of Tertulian (Annotated): Volume 1 of 2 Paperback – March 7, 2026

This premier annotated edition presents the first half of the massive literary output of Tertullian, the “Father of Latin Theology” and the man who first gave the Western Church its theological vocabulary. A brilliant lawyer and a fiery convert, Tertullian brought a forensic precision to the defense of the Christian faith during the late second and early third centuries. This volume captures his dual role as the premier apologist against the Roman Empire and the tireless guardian of orthodoxy against internal error. From his world-famous legal defenses to his systematic dismantling of Gnostic dualism, Tertullian’s prose remains a masterclass in rhetoric, wit, and uncompromising devotion. This collection is an essential foundation for anyone seeking to understand the roots of the Trinity, the nature of the soul, and the resilient spirit of the North African Church.Table of ContentsBiographical Introduction: Tertullian (Catholic Encyclopedia 1913)Part First: Apologetic and Ethical DefensesApology & Ad Nationes: Masterful legal defenses against Roman persecution.On Idolatry, The Shows, & The Chaplet: Guidelines for Christian living in a pagan society.To Scapula: A bold warning to a Roman commissioner.An Answer to the Jews: A theological study of the Old Covenant and the Messiah.The Soul’s Testimony & A Treatise on the Soul: Explorations into Christian psychology.Part Second: The Shield Against ErrorThe Prescription Against Heretics: A landmark work on Apostolic authority.The Five Books Against Marcion: A monumental defense of the unity of God and the Scriptures.About TertullianQuintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (c. 155–220 AD) was a Romanized African born in Carthage who transformed the way the West spoke about God. A classically trained rhetorician, he was the first to use the Latin term Trinitas to describe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he famously coined the phrase, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Tertullian’s character was defined by a restless search for purity and a fierce opposition to any compromise with the world. While his later life was marked by a move toward the strict asceticism of the Montanist movement, his earlier works remain the bedrock of Latin Christianity, influencing every major theologian from Cyprian to Augustine. He stands as a titan of history—a man who would settle for nothing less than the absolute truth of the Gospel. Read more