Die Rolle der Juden für Tertullians Darstellung der christlichen Gottesverehrung im Apologeticum, speziell in Apologeticum 21

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Tertullian's Apologeticum, the Jews play a major role within the chapters 16-21, and especially in chapter 21. A closer look at those chapters shows that Tertullian is referring to the Jews in a very functional way. They enable him to stand up for his Christian faith in God – in front of his pagan addressees. He proceeds in two steps. In apol. 16-20, he makes use of the Jews to support the faith in the one God, the creator of the universe. The source of this faith are the Jews' scriptures. Their age and dignity testify the truth of this faith shared by the Christians and the Jews. The Jewish religion as „insignissima religio, certe licita“ (apol. 21,1) functions as a witness in front of the pagan addresses, and that's why Tertullian is very friendly with the Jews in this context. In apol. 21, the climate changes. Tertullian exposes the Christian faith in Christ as God that separates the Christians from the Jews. At this point, the conflict is unavoidable. But still, by attacking the Jews, Tertullian addresses hin non-Christian audience, this time in a critical way. It's the roman vulgus that is as blind as the Jews in apol. 21 refer to the pagan addresses who shall be freed from their blindness. Thus, it can be seen that Tertullian is delibaretely talking of the Jews in two different ways, each time with one intention: to convince his pagan audience of the truth of the Christian faith.