Catena Fidei

Tertullian, A Treatise on the Soul. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3 (Roberts and Donaldson, 1885), public domain.

Passages · 58

A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 1 — It is Not to the Philosophers that We Resort for Information About the Soul But to God. IX. Chapter I.—It is Not to the Philosophers that We Resort for Information About the Soul But to God. Having discussed with…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 2 — The Christian Has Sure and Simple Knowledge Concerning the Subject Before Us. Of course we shall not deny that philosophers have sometimes thought the same things as ourselves. The testimony of truth is the issue…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 3 — The Soul's Origin Defined Out of the Simple Words of Scripture. Would to God that no “heresies had been ever necessary, in order that they which are approved may be made manifest!” We should then be never required to…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 4 — In Opposition to Plato, the Soul Was Created and Originated at Birth. After settling the origin of the soul, its condition or state comes up next. For when we acknowledge that the soul originates in the breath of…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 5 — Probable View of the Stoics, that the Soul Has a Corporeal Nature. Suppose one summons a Eubulus to his assistance, and a Critolaus, and a Zenocrates, and on this occasion Plato’s friend Aristotle. They may very…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 6 — The Arguments of the Platonists for the Soul's Incorporeality, Opposed, Perhaps Frivolously. Chapter VI.—The Arguments of the Platonists for the Soul’s Incorporeality, Opposed, Perhaps Frivolously. These conclusions…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 7 — The Soul's Corporeality Demonstrated Out of the Gospels. So far as the philosophers are concerned, we have said enough. As for our own teachers, indeed, our reference to them is ex abundanti—a surplusage of…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 8 — Other Platonist Arguments Considered. Besides, it would be a harsh and absurd proceeding to exempt anything from the class of corporeal beings, on the ground that it is not exactly like the other constituents of that…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 9 — Particulars of the Alleged Communication to a Montanist Sister. When we aver that the soul has a body of a quality and kind peculiar to itself, in this special condition of it we shall be already supplied with a…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 10 — The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity of Spirit and Soul. Chapter X.—The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity of Spirit and Soul. It is essential to a firm faith…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 11 — Spirit--A Term Expressive of an Operation of the Soul, Not of Its Nature. To Be Carefully Distinguished from the Spirit of God. Chapter XI.—Spirit—A Term Expressive of an Operation of the Soul, Not of Its Nature. To…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 12 — Difference Between the Mind and the Soul, and the Relation Between Them. In like manner the mind also, or animus, which the Greeks designate ΝΟΥΣ, is taken by us in no other sense than as indicating that faculty or…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 13 — The Soul's Supremacy. It next remains to examine where lies the supremacy; in other words, which of the two is superior to the other, so that with which the supremacy clearly lies shall be the essentially superior…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 14 — The Soul Variously Divided by the Philosophers; This Division is Not a Material Dissection. Chapter XIV.—The Soul Variously Divided by the Philosophers; This Division is Not a Material Dissection. Being thus single,…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 15 — The Soul's Vitality and Intelligence. Its Character and Seat in Man. In the first place, (we must determine) whether there be in the soul some supreme principle of vitality and intelligence which they call “the…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 16 — The Soul's Parts. Elements of the Rational Soul. That position of Plato’s is also quite in keeping with the faith, in which he divides the soul into two parts—the rational and the irrational. To this definition we…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 17 — The Fidelity of the Senses, Impugned by Plato, Vindicated by Christ Himself. Then, again, when we encounter the question (as to the veracity of those five senses which we learn with our alphabet; since from this…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 18 — Plato Suggested Certain Errors to the Gnostics. Functions of the Soul. I turn now to the department of our intellectual faculties, such as Plato has handed it over to the heretics, distinct from our bodily functions,…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 19 — The Intellect Coeval with the Soul in the Human Being. An Example from Aristotle Converted into Evidence Favourable to These Views. Chapter XIX.—The Intellect Coeval with the Soul in the Human Being. An Example from…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 20 — The Soul, as to Its Nature Uniform, But Its Faculties Variously Developed. Varieties Only Accidental. Chapter XX.—The Soul, as to Its Nature Uniform, But Its Faculties Variously Developed. Varieties Only Accidental.…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21 — As Free-Will Actuates an Individual So May His Character Change. Now, if the soul possessed this uniform and simple nature from the beginning in Adam, previous to so many mental dispositions (being developed out of…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 22 — Recapitulation. Definition of the Soul. Hermogenes has already heard from us what are the other natural faculties of the soul, as well as their vindication and proof; whence it may be seen that the soul is rather the…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 23 — The Opinions of Sundry Heretics Which Originate Ultimately with Plato. Some suppose that they came down from heaven, with as firm a belief as they are apt to entertain, when they indulge in the prospect of an…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 24 — Plato's Inconsistency. He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, Yet Capable of Forgetting What Passed in a Previous State. Chapter XXIV.—Plato’s Inconsistency. He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, Yet Capable of Forgetting…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 25 — Tertullian Refutes, Physiologically, the Notion that the Soul is Introduced After Birth. Chapter XXV.—Tertullian Refutes, Physiologically, the Notion that the Soul is Introduced After Birth. I shall now return to the…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 26 — Scripture Alone Offers Clear Knowledge on the Questions We Have Been Controverting. Chapter XXVI.—Scripture Alone Offers Clear Knowledge on the Questions We Have Been Controverting. Now there is no end to the…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 27 — Soul and Body Conceived, Formed and Perfected in Element Simultaneously. How, then, is a living being conceived? Is the substance of both body and soul formed together at one and the same time? Or does one of them…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 28 — The Pythagorean Doctrine of Transmigration Sketched and Censured. What, then, by this time means that ancient saying, mentioned by Plato, concerning the reciprocal migration of souls; how they remove hence and go…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 29 — The Pythagorean Doctrine Refuted by Its Own First Principle, that Living Men are Formed from the Dead. Chapter XXIX.—The Pythagorean Doctrine Refuted by Its Own First Principle, that Living Men are Formed from the…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 30 — Further Refutation of the Pythagorean Theory. The State of Contemporary Civilisation. Chapter XXX.—Further Refutation of the Pythagorean Theory. The State of Contemporary Civilisation. But what must we say in reply…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 31 — Further Exposure of Transmigration, Its Inextricable Embarrassment. Again, if this recovery of life from the dead take place at all, individuals must of course resume their own individuality. Therefore the souls…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 32 — Empedocles Increased the Absurdity of Pythagoras by Developing the Posthumous Change of Men into Various Animals. Chapter XXXII.—Empedocles Increased the Absurdity of Pythagoras by Developing the Posthumous Change of…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 33 — The Judicial Retribution of These Migrations Refuted with Raillery. Forasmuch as this doctrine is vindicated even on the principle of judicial retribution, on the pretence that the souls of men obtain as their…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 34 — These Vagaries Stimulated Some Profane Corruptions of Christianity. The Profanity of Simon Magus Condemned. Chapter XXXIV.—These Vagaries Stimulated Some Profane Corruptions of Christianity. The Profanity of Simon…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 35 — The Opinions of Carpocrates, Another Offset from the Pythagorean Dogmas, Stated and Confuted. Chapter XXXV.—The Opinions of Carpocrates, Another Offset from the Pythagorean Dogmas, Stated and Confuted. However, it is…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 36 — The Main Points of Our Author's Subject. On the Sexes of the Human Race. For the discussion of these questions we abandoned, if I remember rightly, ground to which we must now return. We had established the position…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 37 — On the Formation and State of the Embryo. Its Relation with the Subject of This Treatise. Chapter XXXVII.—On the Formation and State of the Embryo. Its Relation with the Subject of This Treatise. Now the entire…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 38 — On the Growth of the Soul. Its Maturity Coincident with the Maturity of the Flesh in Man. Chapter XXXVIII.—On the Growth of the Soul. Its Maturity Coincident with the Maturity of the Flesh in Man. Now we have already…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 39 — The Evil Spirit Has Marred the Purity of the Soul from the Very Birth. All these endowments of the soul which are bestowed on it at birth are still obscured and depraved by the malignant being who, in the beginning,…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 40 — The Body of Man Only Ancillary to the Soul in the Commission of Evil. Every soul, then, by reason of its birth, has its nature in Adam until it is born again in Christ; moreover, it is unclean all the while that it…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 41 — Chapter XLI.—Notwithstanding the Depravity of Man’s Soul by Original Sin, There is Yet Left a Basis Whereon Divine Grace Can Work for Its Recovery by Spiritual Regeneration. There is, then, besides the evil which…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 42 — Sleep, the Mirror of Death, as Introductory to the Consideration of Death. It now remains (that we discuss the subject) of death, in order that our subject-matter may terminate where the soul itself completes it;…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 43 — Sleep a Natural Function as Shown by Other Considerations, and by the Testimony of Scripture. Chapter XLIII.—Sleep a Natural Function as Shown by Other Considerations, and by the Testimony of Scripture. Let us…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 44 — The Story of Hermotimus, and the Sleeplessness of the Emperor Nero. No Separation of the Soul from the Body Until Death. Chapter XLIV.—The Story of Hermotimus, and the Sleeplessness of the Emperor Nero. No Separation…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 45 — Dreams, an Incidental Effect of the Soul's Activity. Ecstasy. We are bound to expound at this point what is the opinion of Christians respecting dreams, as incidents of sleep, and as no slight or trifling excitements…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 46 — Diversity of Dreams and Visions. Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them, Though Generally Most Highly Valued. Instances of Dreams. Chapter XLVI.—Diversity of Dreams and Visions. Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them, Though…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 47 — Dreams Variously Classified. Some are God-Sent, as the Dreams of Nebuchadnezzar; Others Simply Products of Nature. Chapter XLVII.—Dreams Variously Classified. Some are God-Sent, as the Dreams of Nebuchadnezzar;…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 48 — Causes and Circumstances of Dreams. What Best Contributes to Efficient Dreaming. Chapter XLVIII.—Causes and Circumstances of Dreams. What Best Contributes to Efficient Dreaming. They say that dreams are more sure and…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 49 — No Soul Naturally Exempt from Dreams. As for those persons who suppose that infants do not dream, on the ground that all the functions of the soul throughout life are accomplished according to the capacity of age,…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 50 — The Absurd Opinion of Epicurus and the Profane Conceits of the Heretic Menander on Death, Even Enoch and Elijah Reserved for Death. Chapter L.—The Absurd Opinion of Epicurus and the Profane Conceits of the Heretic…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 51 — Death Entirely Separates the Soul from the Body. But the operation of death is plain and obvious: it is the separation of body and soul. Some, however, in reference to the soul’s immortality, on which they have so…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 52 — All Kinds of Death a Violence to Nature, Arising from Sin.--Sin an Intrusion Upon Nature as God Created It. Chapter LII.—All Kinds of Death a Violence to Nature, Arising from Sin.—Sin an Intrusion Upon Nature as God…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 53 — The Entire Soul Being Indivisible Remains to the Last Act of Vitality; Never Partially or Fractionally Withdrawn from the Body. Chapter LIII.—The Entire Soul Being Indivisible Remains to the Last Act of Vitality;…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 54 — Whither Does the Soul Retire When It Quits the Body? Opinions of Philosophers All More or Less Absurd. The Hades of Plato. Chapter LIV.—Whither Does the Soul Retire When It Quits the Body? Opinions of Philosophers…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 55 — The Christian Idea of the Position of Hades; The Blessedness of Paradise Immediately After Death. The Privilege of the Martyrs. Chapter LV.—The Christian Idea of the Position of Hades; The Blessedness of Paradise…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 56 — Chapter LVI.—Refutation of the Homeric View of the Soul’s Detention from Hades Owing to the Body’s Being Unburied. That Souls Prematurely Separated from the Body Had to Wait for Admission into Hades Also Refuted.…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 57 — Magic and Sorcery Only Apparent in Their Effects. God Alone Can Raise the Dead. Chapter LVII.—Magic and Sorcery Only Apparent in Their Effects. God Alone Can Raise the Dead. It is either a very fine thing to be…vatican.va
A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 58 — Conclusion. Points Postponed. All Souls are Kept in Hades Until the Resurrection, Anticipating Their Ultimate Misery or Bliss. Chapter LVIII.—Conclusion. Points Postponed. All Souls are Kept in Hades Until the…vatican.va

Scripture cited · 193 verses

Passages · 58

Scripture cited · 193 verses

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