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Tertullian Also Acknowledges Marcion was Alive at the Time of Jesus

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:29 pm
by Secret Alias
The reference is to Lazarus and Abraham discussion in the underworld:
Now, although this everlasting abode is promised, and the ascending stories (or steps) to heaven are built by the Creator, who further promises that the seed of Abraham shall be even as the stars of heaven, by virtue certainly of the heavenly promise, why may it not be possible, without any injury to that promise, that by Abraham's bosom is meant some temporary receptacle of faithful souls, wherein is even now delineated an image of the future, and where is given some foresight of the glory of both judgments? [15] If so, you have here, O heretics, during your present lifetime (dum in vita estis), a warning that Moses and the prophets declare one only God, the Creator, and His only Christ, and how that both awards of everlasting punishment and eternal salvation rest with Him, the one only God, who kills and who makes alive. (AM 4.34.15)

Re: Tertullian Also Acknowledges Marcion was Alive at the Time of Jesus

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:36 am
by andrewcriddle
Secret Alias wrote: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:29 pm The reference is to Lazarus and Abraham discussion in the underworld:
Now, although this everlasting abode is promised, and the ascending stories (or steps) to heaven are built by the Creator, who further promises that the seed of Abraham shall be even as the stars of heaven, by virtue certainly of the heavenly promise, why may it not be possible, without any injury to that promise, that by Abraham's bosom is meant some temporary receptacle of faithful souls, wherein is even now delineated an image of the future, and where is given some foresight of the glory of both judgments? [15] If so, you have here, O heretics, during your present lifetime (dum in vita estis), a warning that Moses and the prophets declare one only God, the Creator, and His only Christ, and how that both awards of everlasting punishment and eternal salvation rest with Him, the one only God, who kills and who makes alive. (AM 4.34.15)
I think Tertullian means that the distinction between Hades and Abraham's Bosom is an already existing reality not a future prospect.

I'm pretty sure that whatever Tertullian means he is talking about something which is true for his current opponents, not something that was true for his opponents several generations ago such as Marcion but is not currently true.

Andrew Criddle

Re: Tertullian Also Acknowledges Marcion was Alive at the Time of Jesus

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:16 am
by Secret Alias
Yes I think that's the sense Andrew.

Re: Tertullian Also Acknowledges Marcion was Alive at the Time of Jesus

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:41 pm
by Joseph D. L.
Tertullian elsewhere seems to address Marcion as if he were still alive. It's passages like that which lead me to postulate that Against Marcion is more of a compilation of different texts, rather than an original work.