The evidence from the De pudicitia that before the year 200
the Church did not grant absolution to the sins of murder and apostasy
(idolatry), and that it was only about this time that she began to forgive
adultery and fornication may be summarized thus. Tertullian repeatedly insists
that his opponents are inconsistent in granting absolution to adultery, while
refusing it to murder and apostasy. It is inconceivable that he could have used
such an argument if the Church actually did grant pardon to these sins at this
time. That adultery was not forgiven before the third century seems clear from
the very fact that an edict was issued circa
215 decreeing its forgiveness. Then, too, it is difficult to account for the
bitterness of Tertullian’s language in the De
pudicitia, if the bishop whose legislation he condemns were simply
continuing an earlier tradition of tolerance. (William P. Le Saint, Tertullian:
Treatises on Penance: On Penitence and On Purity [Ancient Christian Writers
28; New York: Newman Press, 1959], 48-49)
