The Soul's Innate Consciousness of God: A Tertullian Perspective

Tertullian's "A Treatise on the Soul" offers profound insights into the nature of the soul and its inherent awareness of the divine. Rather than relying solely on philosophical arguments, Tertullian proposes that the soul itself possesses a natural understanding of God, a consciousness that persists even amidst the distractions and errors of human existence. This innate knowledge, he argues, is a powerful testament to the existence and character of the Supreme Being.

The Soul's Confession

Tertullian suggests that the soul, even when misguided, bears witness to God. Consider the soul that proclaims God but doesn't seek to truly know Him, or the soul that detests evil spirits yet paradoxically worships them. He illustrates how the soul might foresee the punishments of hell without taking steps to avoid them, or possess a "savour of Christianity" while simultaneously persecuting Christians. (Source: Document: 1739759483260-f3gg8o-anf03.txt)

Thou proclaimedst God, O soul, but thou didst not seek to know Him: evil spirits were detested by thee, and yet they were the objects of thy adoration; the punishments of hell were foreseen by thee, but no care was taken to avoid them; thou hadst a savour of Christianity, and withal wert the persecutor of Christians. (Source: Document: 1739759483260-f3gg8o-anf03.txt)

This passage highlights the inherent contradiction within the soul, a testament to its awareness of divine truths even when obscured by worldly influences.

The Limitations of Philosophy

Tertullian contrasts his approach with that of the philosophers, particularly those surrounding Socrates. He questions whether philosophical debates, especially those conducted in less-than-ideal circumstances, can truly grasp the essence of the soul. The very setting of Socrates' imprisonment, with the anticipation of death looming, seems to Tertullian an unlikely place for clear and serene contemplation of the soul. (Source: Document: 1739759483260-f3gg8o-anf03.txt)

He suggests that even Socrates's efforts to remain composed in the face of death and the emotional distress of his loved ones would have inevitably disturbed his soul. This underscores Tertullian's preference for divine revelation over purely rational inquiry when seeking to understand the deepest aspects of human existence.

The Father and the Son: A Relational Understanding

Tertullian delves into the relationship between the Father and the Son to illustrate the distinct yet inseparable nature of the divine. He critiques the "Monarchians," who, in their attempt to uphold the unity of God, conflate the Father and the Son into a single entity. Tertullian argues that this view undermines the essential relational aspect of the Godhead. (Source: Document: 1739759483260-f3gg8o-anf03.txt)

He uses the analogy of human relationships to make his point: a father cannot be his own son, nor can a son be his own father. These are distinct roles that require a reciprocal relationship. To deny this distinction, Tertullian asserts, is to deny the very essence of fatherhood and sonship.

Now a Father makes a Son, and a Son makes a Father; and they who thus become reciprocally related out of each other to each other cannot in any way by themselves simply become so related to themselves, that the Father can make Himself a Son to Himself, and the Son render Himself a Father to Himself. (Source: Document: 1739759483260-f3gg8o-anf03.txt)

The Devil's Device

Tertullian sees the denial of the Father-Son distinction as a "device of the devil," an attempt to undermine the true nature of God. By collapsing the two into one, the Monarchians effectively eliminate both the Father and the Son, holding the Monarchy, but neither recognizing the Father nor the Son. (Source: Document: 1739759483260-f3gg8o-anf03.txt)

Conclusion

Tertullian's exploration of the soul reveals a deep conviction that humans possess an inherent awareness of God. While philosophical inquiry can be valuable, it is ultimately the soul's own consciousness, illuminated by divine revelation, that provides the clearest path to understanding the divine. The distinct yet inseparable relationship between the Father and the Son further enriches this understanding, offering a glimpse into the profound mysteries of the Godhead.