Origen and Tertullian

[Schultz]

One another thread, Siluan mentioned something about how a bad tree cannot give good fruit. I often hear this as a reason why the MP isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

On another thread, OOD brought up the fact that while we may not agree with everything that Origen and Tertullian thought, we can certainly agree with some things.

Since Origen and Tertullian are, in effect, "bad trees" because of the heresy they espoused, especially Tertullian who should have known better, how can we hold them up as Fathers of the Church, even though they did bear "good fruit" on certain theological points?

I guess I'm just seeing some bit of inconsistency here, that's all. I'm not trying to start an argument, either, I'm just curious.

[George]

From what I understand, Origen and Tertullian aren't considered Fathers of the Church.

[Mykael]

It is my understanding that Origen and Tertullian are not "Fathers of the Church" in the sence that they are recognised as saints or teachers. Thier writings ; preheresy are theologically sound and orthodox.

The best defense I have read concerning them is from the introduction in the 'Anti-nicene Fathers'.:
"Justly has it been urged that to those whose colossal labours during the ante-Nicene period exposed them to hasty judgment, and led them into mistakes, much indulgence must be shown. The language of theology was but assuming shape under thier processes, and we owe them an incalculable debt of gratitude: but it was not yet molded into precision; nor had great councils, presided over by the HolyGhost, as yet afforded those safeguards to freedom of thought which gradually defined the limits of Orthodoxy...But before the great Synodal period (325 to 451), while orthodoxy is marvellously mainained and witnessed by Origen and Tertullian themselves, thier errors, however serious, have never seperated them from the grateful and loving regard of those upon whom thier lives of heroic sorrow and suffering have conferred blessings unspeakable. The Church cannot leave thier errors uncorrected. Thier person she leaves to the Master's award: thier characters she cherishes, while thier faults she deplores."

as ever asking your prayers
the lowly Mykael