Re: A Christian's Responsibility (was: Miller's Request for N&V Artic les)
dfsiemensjr@juno.com
Tue, 21 Sep 1999 11:01:48 -0600
There is another aspect to faith, though a gross misrepresentation, tied
to a misquotation of Tertullian: "I believe because it is absurd." This
supposedly means that faith is tied to nonsense. The actual quotation is
paradoxical, but emphasizes that the record of the Savior is something
that would not have been invented. He wrote in De carne christi, c. 5:
The Son of God was crucified; I am not ashamed of it because men must
needs be ashamed [of it]. And the Son of God died; it is surely to be
believed because it is absurd [ineptum, not absurdum]. And He was buried,
and rose again; the fact is certain, because it is impossible.
Unfortunately, I have found the misquotation among some college
professors and even a book on patristics.
David F. Siemens, Jr.
dfsiemensjr@juno.com