Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 3) - VIII - 'Ad Nationes' Book II & Appendix

Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'Ad Nationes' Book II and the Appendix.

My summary
This week we read Tertullian's second book in his apology addressed to the nations.

This time Tertullian critiques false gods: 'Our defence requires that we should at this point discuss with you the character of your gods, O ye heathen, fit objects of our pity, appealing even to your own conscience to determine whether they be truly gods, as you would have it supposed, or falsely, as you are unwilling to have proved.'

Tertullian points out:
(i) the confusion of pagan philosophers;
(ii) the foolishness of thinking gods are material;
(iii) the lack of authority among the pagan poets;
(iv) the immorality of the gods;
(v) the original humanity of the gods.

What grabbed me
We certainly cannot agree with all Tertullian's arguments against false gods.

For example: 'Come now, do you allow that the Divine Being not only has nothing servile in His course, but exists in unimpaired integrity, and ought not to be diminished, or suspended, or destroyed? Well, then, all His blessedness would disappear, if He were ever subject to change. Look, however, at the stellar bodies; they both undergo change, and give clear evidence of the fact. The moon tells us how great has been its loss, as it recovers its full form; its greater losses you are already accustomed to measure in a mirror of water; so that I need not any longer believe in any wise what magians have asserted. The sun, too, is frequently put to the trial of an eclipse. Explain as best you may the modes of these celestial casualties, it is impossible for God either to become less or to cease to exist.'

We know that the moon does not undergo change even though it may appear so.

I find that the lack of such arguments in Scripture continues to testify to their divine authorship.

Next week's reading
Read 'An answer to the Jews'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.