Some Introductory Remarks About Tertullian's Five Books Against Marcion

As I noted earlier Tertullian has almost nothing to say of any substance about the actual beliefs and practices of the Marcionites. It is apparent from chapter one that the present text of five books has went through a series of rewrites through a series of hands. One lost original text which is inevitably cited as one of Tertullian's sources is Justin of Neapolis ('Justin Martyr'). My guess is that Book Three in particular (which in turn is related to Tertullian's Against the Jews) is drawn from Justin. The extent of Justin's influence over the Five Books Against Marcion might possibly extend beyond this (after all Williams has noted that the underlying argument against Marcion's gospel in Book Four only makes sense if both parties employ Diatessaron-like texts). Yet it is difficult to say with any certainty who are Tertullian's original sources beyond Justin's influence over Book Three.

To this end we might well conclude - and this is very important - that Tertullian NEVER ACTUALLY SAW A MARCIONITE OR A MARCIONITE GOSPEL in his whole life. I am not at all convinced that Tertullian didn't recycle original material drawn from Irenaeus and rework it to whatever purpose the Latin Church Father had in mind.

As such there is little 'substantive' information about Marcionite beliefs, rites and practices in any of Tertullian's Five Books Against Marcion ...