Semen est sanguis christianorum : the dissent between Tertullian and Cyprian on the appropriate Christian behaviour during persecution

Abstract

PAGANS expected Christians to conform to the established religious tradition and participate (even passively) in the sacrifices in honour of the Roman gods, in order to secure the divine protection. Christians responded in various ways. Some Christians met pagan expectations fully and eagerly sacrificed, other succumbed only under pressure, or sent their friends and relatives to sacrifice for them, or fled their homes to avoid the dilemma, or bribed the Roman authorities to keep all the trouble away. The Christian Church was genuinely proud of the Christian martyrs who showed extraordinary courage and chose to die rather than betray their religious beliefs, and at the same time, the Church was rather embarrassed and confused of how to handle the rest of the Christians, the lapsi, who didn’t share the martyrs’ heroism, and constituted the majority of the Christian congregations. Tertullian was appalled at the idea of avoiding persecution and martyrdom, while Cyprian showed more consideration and was willing to accept the lapsi back to the Church, as long as they repented. Their repentance included prayer, tears, fasting, and charity, and had to be closely supervised by the Church authorities.