Ante-Nicene Fathers (Volume 4) - IV - To his wife

Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 4) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'To his wife'.

My summary
This week Tertullian writes two books for his wife.  They give advice on her possible remarriage following his death.

In Book I Tertullian speaks of:
(i) his wife's freedom to renounce nuptials to him if he departs;
(ii) the unlawfulness of polygamy;
(iii) the preference for celibacy;
(iv) the need for marriage for the desires of the flesh and children;
(v) heathen support for widowhood and celibacy.

In Book II Tertullian expounds 1 Corinthians 7.  Tertullian advises that marriage between a believer and an unbeliever is forbidden in all circumstances.

What grabbed me
An interesting book to write for your wife.

I think Tertullian comments on children were a bit harsh: 'Further reasons for marriage which men allege for themselves arise from anxiety for posterity, and the bitter, bitter pleasure of children.  To us this is idle.  For why should we be eager to bear children, whom, when we have them, we desire to send before us (to glory) (in respect, I mean, of the distresses that are now imminent); desirous as we are ourselves, too, to be taken out of this most wicked world, and received into the Lord’s presence, which was the desire even of an apostle?  To the servant of God, forsooth, offspring is necessary!  For of our own salvation we are secure enough, so that we have leisure for children!  Burdens must be sought by us for ourselves which are avoided even by the majority of the Gentiles, who are compelled by laws, who are decimated by abortions; burdens which, finally, are to us most of all unsuitable, as being perilous to faith!  For why did the Lord foretell a “woe to them that are with child, and them that give suck,” except because He testifies that in that day of disencumbrance the encumbrances of children will be an inconvenience?  It is to marriage, of course, that those encumbrances appertain; but that (“woe”) will not pertain to widows.'

Just because children can bring grief doesn't mean we should disobey God's command to be fruitful.

Next week's reading
Read 'On exhortation to chastity'.

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