TERTULLIAN (160-220 AD) describes contemporary 'bible-Christians' in the following manner:'They fiddle with the Scriptures, and base their arguments on them. Speaking of faith they claim that the only basis for discussion is the written word of faith: thus they wear down those whose faith is strong, they ensnare the weak and fill all those in between with doubts. We commence, by laying down as a principle that people should not be allowed to use Scripture as a basis for arguing about the faith.'
'Discussions about the meaning of Scripture, [says Tertullian in the same work] generally have no other effect than to upset either one's stomach or one's brain. As a method, it is wrong to appeal to the Scriptures, since one either cannot reach a decision, or at best, a doubtful one. And even if this were not the case, if one is going to appeal to Scripture, common sense requires that one enquire to whom do the Scriptures belong? From whom, and on what occasion and to whom was this Tradition handed on by which we became Christians? For where the truth of Christian discipline and faith is found, there is found the truth of the Scriptures and its interpretation, and of all Christian Traditions.'
[Elsewhere in the same work Tertullian comments:] 'That doctrine is clearly true which was given first. And the reverse is also correct: what comes later can be shown to be false. This principle cannot be budged by later heresies. Let these then produce the origin of their Churches. Let them show the succession of their bishops from the Apostles or their disciples. tf you live close to Italy, you see before your eyes the Church of Rome. What a fortunate Church, to which the Apostles left their doctrine as an inheritance, as they shed their blood. Where Peter was crucified like the Master; where Paul was beheaded like the Baptist. This being so it is clear, as we have already said, that heretics should not be allowed to appeal to Scripture, since it does not belong to them'.
- See: De Praescript. Haeretic. xv, xvii, xix, xxxvi. Ed.
From: Annals Australia. August 1999
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