On Fasting.
ANF04. Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second
Contents (18 chapters)
- 1. Connection of Gluttony and Lust. Grounds of Psychical Objections Against the Montanists.
- 2. Arguments of the Psychics, Drawn from the Law, the Gospel, the Acts, the Epistles, and Heathenish Practices.
- 3. The Principle of Fasting Traced Back to Its Earliest Source.
- 4. The Objection is Raised, Why, Then, Was the Limit of Lawful Food Extended After the Flood? The Answer to It.
- 5. Proceeding to the History of Israel, Tertullian Shows that Appetite Was as Conspicuous Among Their Sins as in Adam's Case. Therefore the Restraints of the Levitical Law Were Imposed.
- 6. The Physical Tendencies of Fasting and Feeding Considered. The Cases of Moses and Elijah.
- 7. Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
- 8. Examples of a Similar Kind from the New.
- 9. From Fasts Absolute Tertullian Comes to Partial Ones and Xerophagies.
- 10. Of Stations, and of the Hours of Prayer.
- 11. Of the Respect Due to “Human Authority;” And of the Charges of “Heresy” And “Pseudo-Prophecy.”
- 12. Of the Need for Some Protest Against the Psychics and Their Self-Indulgence.
- 13. Of the Inconsistencies of the Psychics.
- 14. Reply to the Charge of “Galaticism.“
- 15. Of the Apostle's Language Concerning Food.
- 16. Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self-Indulgent; And Appeals to the Practices of Heathens.
- 17. Conclusion.
- 18. Elucidations.
Source: CCEL