De baptismo: En undersökning av det bibliska vattnets betydelse hos Tertullianus

Sammanfattning

Humans need water - a fact we have been taught since an early age. The body requires water to function and we through it. We can explicitly say that water is a vital source and element that all living things need. But at the same time, water can be a source of chaos. Stories in the Bible tell of how storms, tempests and floods cause both suffering and death. This paradoxical view of water makes itself particularly interesting in light of Tertullian's statement in De baptismo: "sed nos pisciculi secundum ιχφυν nostrum Iesum Christum in aqua nascimur, nec aliter quam in aqua permanendo salvi sumus." The purpose of this paper is to highlight Tertullian's view of water in De baptismo, in order to explore what biblical understandings of water may underlie his own view. Initially, the significance of biblical water before and during the first century is examined; this in the light of the ancient Oriental and the Greek-Hellenistic worlds. Here water is examined in terms of its various uses such as teaching, washing and purifying, and water in baptism. In order to show the threatening tendencies of water, it is also highlighted from this aspect. Furthermore, Tertullian's statement on water in De baptismo is highlighted. Here his view of water as an element is examined, as well as in relation to baptism. Finally, there is a discussion of possible supporting traditions that have been shown to leave traces in Tertullian - which may also explain his own understanding of the significance of biblical water.