The theology and pastoral practice of penance in Tertullian

Abstract

Going back to ancient sources always offers a sense of rediscovering something which lies hidden under layers of accumulations gathered along the passing of time. Sometimes things become totally different and lose their original meaning or intent. The sacrament of penance as practiced and understood today would not be recognisable to a primitive Christian from the early centuries, but does it reflect the same faith? This work hopes to offer the reader a closer look at two of Turtillian's work about penance written in different periods of his life, in order to identify elements in the theology and pastoral practice of Penance during the 3rd century, and highlight their relevance to the contemporary understanding of the sacrament of Reconciliation.