On Idolatry

Tertullian

  1. 1. Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry
  2. 2. Idolatry in Its More Limited Sense. Its Copiousness
  3. 3. Idolatry: Origin and Meaning of the Name
  4. 4. Idols Not to Be Made, Much Less Worshipped. Idols and Idol-Makers in the Same Category
  5. 5. — Sundry Objections or Excuses Dealt with
  6. 6. Idolatry Condemned by Baptism. To Make an Idol Is, in Fact, to Worship It
  7. 7. Grief of the Faithful at the Admission of Idol-Makers into the Church; Nay, Even into the Ministry
  8. 8. Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a Livelihood Abundant
  9. 9. Professions of Some Kinds Allied to Idolatry. Of Astrology in Particular
  10. 10. Of Schoolmasters and Their Difficulties
  11. 11. Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades, However Gainful, to Be Avoided
  12. 12. Further Answers to the Plea, How Am I to Live?
  13. 13. Of the Observance of Days Connected with Idolatry
  14. 14. Of Blasphemy. One of St. Paul's Sayings
  15. 15. Concerning Festivals in Honour of Emperors, Victories, and the Like. Examples of the Three Children and Daniel
  16. 16. Concerning Private Festivals
  17. 17. The Cases of Servants and Other Officials. What Offices a Christian Man May Hold
  18. 18. Dress as Connected with Idolatry
  19. 19. Concerning Military Service
  20. 20. Concerning Idolatry in Words
  21. 21. Of Silent Acquiescence in Heathen Formularies
  22. 22. Of Accepting Blessing in the Name of Idols
  23. 23. Written Contracts in the Name of Idols. Tacit Consent
  24. 24. General Conclusion

The principal crime of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry. For, although each single fault retains its own proper feature, although it is destined to judgment under its own proper name also, yet it is marked off under the general account of idolatry. Set aside names, examine works, the idolater is likewise a murderer. You may ask, whom he has slain? If it contributes ought to the aggravation of the indictment, no stranger nor personal enemy, but his own self. By what snares? Those of his error. By what weapon? The offense done to God. By how many blows? As many as are his idolatries. He who affirms that the idolater perishes not, will affirm that the idolater has not committed murder. Further, you may recognize in the same crime adultery and fornication; for he who serves false gods is doubtless an adulterer of truth, because all falsehood is adultery. So, too, he is sunk in fornication. For who that is a fellow-worker with unclean spirits, does not stalk in general pollution and fornication? And thus it is that the Holy Scriptures use the designation of fornication in their upbraiding of idolatry. The essence of fraud, I take it, is, that any should seize what is another's, or refuse to another his due; and, of course, fraud done toward man is a name of greatest crime. Well, but idolatry does fraud to God, by refusing to Him, and conferring on others, His honours; so that to fraud it also conjoins contumely. But if fraud, just as much as fornication and adultery, entails death, then, in these cases, equally with the former, idolatry stands unacquitted of the impeachment of murder. After such crimes, so pernicious, so devouring of salvation, all other crimes also, after some manner, and separately disposed in order, find their own essence represented in idolatry. In it also are the concupiscences of the world. For what solemnity of idolatry is without the circumstance of dress and ornament? In it are lasciviousnesses and drunkennesses; since it is, for the most part, for the sake of food, and stomach, and appetite, that these solemnities are frequented. In it is unrighteousness. For what more unrighteous than it, which knows not the Father of righteousness? In it also is vanity, since its whole system is vain. In it is mendacity, for its whole substance is false. Thus it comes to pass, that in idolatry all crimes are detected, and in all crimes idolatry. Even otherwise, since all faults savour of opposition to God, and there is nothing which savours of opposition to God which is not assigned to demons and unclean spirits, whose property idols are; doubtless, whoever commits a fault is chargeable with idolatry, for he does that which pertains to the proprietors of idols.