Tertullian on Baptism

Tertullian, On Baptism (c. 200)

Tertullian (c. 155–c. 220)

Compact, sharp-edged, and a little damp.

Catch rate: 130 / 255
Base research: 120
Stat total: 232

Base stats

Every stat is a checkable fact about the actual book, not a designer's mood. Bars are drawn against the highest value any book reaches.

Stamina58

Contend66

Defend52

Popularity56

Total232

Why these numbers

The game's own explanation, as a reader sees it in the backpack.

Stamina 58

STAMINA — Moderate. It is a short treatise.

Contend 66

CONTEND — High for so small a book. Every chapter makes a point.

Defend 52

DEFEND — Low. He argues one side hard and does not defend it much.

Popularity 56

POPULARITY — Moderate. It is quoted more often than it is read.

Cited for this book

Tertullian wrote On Baptism in Carthage about 200. It is the earliest surviving treatise on baptism, and it advises delaying baptism for little children. It also says baptism by water in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit is a washing that gives forgiveness, and it argues the point with a good deal of wit.

Moves learned

By levelling up. A book that develops keeps what it knew and learns the rest on its new schedule.

Lv	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr	Acc	PP
1	Random Verse	Bible	Argument	10	100%	30
1	Let Them Come When They Know Christ	Ethics	Argument	68	100%	15
9	The Delay of Baptism Is Preferable	Ethics	Argument	60	100%	20
17	Why Hasten the Innocent?	Ethics	Argument	56	100%	25
30	Chapter…	Bible	Scripture	—	—	12

The quotes behind its moves

How to read these. In Scholar’s Dream, books argue with each other. Each thing a book can do in a debate is a move, and most moves carry a real quotation — the words the book puts on the table when it uses that move.

Strong against lists the opposing books and arguments a move was written to answer. Used against one of them, it hits much harder than usual: ×2 means twice the normal force, ×4 four times. It is the game’s way of saying: this is the sentence that answers that argument. Open an entry to read why.

“Let them come, then, while they are growing up; let them come while they are learning, while they are learning whither to come; let them become Christians when they have become able to know Christ.”
Tertullian, On Baptism, ch. 18 (trans. S. Thelwall, ANF 3, public domain), as hosted by New Advent.public domain

Let Them Come When They Know Christ

EthicsArgument · power 68 · 100% accurate

In the gameTertullian answers “Forbid them not to come to me.” Let the children come, he says, when they are old enough to learn where they are coming. He argues that baptism should wait for the little ones.

“And so, according to the circumstances and disposition, and even age, of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable; principally, however, in the case of little children.”
Tertullian, On Baptism, ch. 18 (trans. S. Thelwall, ANF 3, public domain), as hosted by New Advent.public domain

The Delay of Baptism Is Preferable

EthicsArgument · power 60 · 100% accurate

In the gameTertullian’s rule of thumb, written about 200. The delay depends on the person’s circumstances, disposition and age, and he applies it most strongly to little children. His reason is practical: the sponsors who promise for them might not live to keep it.

“Why does the innocent period of life hasten to the remission of sins?”
Tertullian, On Baptism, ch. 18 (trans. S. Thelwall, ANF 3, public domain), as hosted by New Advent.public domain

Why Hasten the Innocent?

EthicsArgument · power 56 · 100% accurate

In the gameA question Tertullian leaves hanging. If the young are innocent, he asks, why hurry them to the forgiveness of sins? He puts it as a plain question and moves on.