Notes on Tertullian's Trinitarian thought in Adversus Praxean

Summary

Summary: The author intends a brief presentation of the main Trinitarian texts of the Adversus Praxean. First, he presents these texts in order of appearance through the logic of the work so that they are well contextualized in the controversy. It is very clear that the Sermo or Son is another person, different from the Father, but not separate. Both are God, the only God, who has a Son without breaking unity. The second part is more systematic, focused on key words that it covers: monarchy and economy; the images of sun, source and root; the use of numbers and the Trinity; spirit, person and substance. Finally, we look at the origins of Sermo. He concludes that Tertullian moves orthodoxly within the pre-Nicene subordinationist atmosphere.
Keywords: Monarchy, economy, person, spirit of God, substance, prolation, subordinationism.
Abstract: This article studies the main Trinitarian texts of Adversus Praxean in the same order of presentation so as to respect their context. Sermo and Son are clearly a person distinct from the Father but not separated form Him. Both are the only God who has a Son who does not prevent unity. Then it studies the main terms: monarchy and economy; the images like sun, source and root, the numbers and Trinity, spirit, person and substance. Tertullian is orthodox although in the subordinationist atmosphere before Nicaea.
Keywords: Monarchy, economy, person, spirit of God, substance, prolatio, subordinationism.