Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Question 9

Tertullian insists that religious liberty is fitting because even humans don’t want “unwilling homage,” and he says Christians offer emperors not sacrifice but constant prayer; what does that reveal about God’s desires in worship, and how does it challenge modern Christian attempts to gain political power to enforce public “religion”?

Another way to ask: Tertullian says worship must be freely given, and Christians don’t offer emperors sacrifices but pray for them. What does that show about what God wants in worship, and how does it challenge Christians who want political power to force public “religion”?

Direct Answer Tertullian assumes true worship must be freely chosen and directed to the true God, not forced ritual; therefore Christians should not seek to compel religious acts by state power but should serve society through prayer and integrity, even for rulers who persecute them.

Support from Transcript:

He pleads: “forbidding free choice of deity… compelled to worship against it,” calling this a ground for “irreligion.”
He argues from common sense: “Not even a human being would care to have unwilling homage rendered him.”
He notes Rome allows many cults: Egyptians may “make gods of birds and beasts,” yet “we alone are forbidden… a religion of our own.”
He explains Christian loyalty: when called to sacrifice, “we resolutely refuse,” because sacrifices are to “demons under… images.”
Instead, Christians offer rulers prayer: “Without ceasing, we offer prayer for all our emperors… for… security to the empire… brave armies… a faithful Senate… the world at peace.”

Discussion Follow-ups If forced homage is worthless, what kinds of “public religion” are we tempted to demand today? How would a church’s political posture change if it emphasized constant prayer for leaders more than coercion?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Jumpstarter 9 of 10