Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
Tertullian’s picture of “repenting of his repentance” and becoming “more hateful to God” because he becomes “more acceptable to God’s rival” is severe; what view of allegiance, spiritual warfare, and God’s honor is operating underneath that language, and how does it differ from modern “backsliding” categories?
Another way to ask: Tertullian says someone can “repent of their repentance” and become more hateful to God by siding with God’s rival. What does this show about loyalty, spiritual battle, and God’s honor, and how is that different from today’s idea of “backsliding”?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Tertullian’s language assumes repentance is a real transfer of allegiance from the devil to God, so returning to sin is not merely “struggling” but re-enthroning God’s enemy and publicly shaming one’s former confession. That frames post-baptism apostasy as spiritual warfare and dishonor to God, not a casual “backslide.”
- Tertullian is quoted: the man “by repentance, renounces the Lord’s rival, the devil, then again raises him by his own return to the devil.”
- The return is treated as an act that strengthens the enemy: “such a person becomes a basis of exaltation to the devil.”
- It’s relational and comparative: “he who has known both God and Satan seems to have made a comparison,” implying a deliberate judgment.
- The severeness is tied to God’s honor: he becomes “more hateful to God in proportion as he is more acceptable to God’s rival.”
- The speaker comments that Tertullian is “clearly… speaking of someone who is saved… born again,” who “can… turn away from his repentance… repent of his repentance.”