Church History – Tatian the Assyrian
Summarise 110-150
- Copycat theology (lacking context, time-statements, type/antitype, etc “Jewish interpretive matrix”
- Difference in views among assemblies
- Apologetics to the pagan world
Moving into 150 – 190
Some quotes from Tatian:
“The soul is not itself immortal, O Greeks, but mortal. Yet it is possible for it not to die”. – Tatian, Address to the Greeks (latter 2nd century)
“But man alone is in the image and likeness of God, and I mean by man, not one who performs actions similar to those of animals, but one who has advanced far beyond mere humanity – to God Himself”. – Tatian, Address to the Greeks (2nd century)
“If I do not wish to comply with some of your customs, why am I hated, as if I were despicable? Does the governor order me to pay taxes? I do so willingly. Does he order me to do service? I acknowledge my servitude. For one must honor human beings in a way appropriate to humans; but one must fear God alone- he who is not visible to human eyes, nor perceptible by any means known to us”. – Tatian
Die to the world by renouncing the madness of its stir and bustle. Live for God by throwing off the old man in you through recognition of his nature…..Those who brought it about can also do away with it again” -Tatian, Address to the Greeks 11.5–6.
Brief Bio
- Tatian of Adiabene, or Tatian the Syrian, or Tatian the Assyrian – c. 120 – c. 180 AD
- Pupil of Justin Martyr
- Entertained Gnostic ideas
– Encratites
– relations with, possible follower of Valentinius - Possibly teacher of Clement of Alexandria
Writings:
Diatessaron
- a Biblical paraphrase, or “harmony”,
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/diatessaron.html
Address To The Greeks
- Apologetic for the Christian faith
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tatian-address.html
“In a lost writing entitled On Perfection according to the Doctrine of the Savior, Tatian designates matrimony as a symbol of the tying of the flesh to the perishable world and ascribed the “invention” of matrimony to the devil. He distinguishes between the old and the new man; the old man is the law, the new man the Gospel. Other lost writings of Tatian include a work written before the Oratio ad Graecos that contrasts the nature of man with the nature of the animals, and a Problematon biblion, which aimed to present a compilation of obscure Scripture sayings.”