Tertullian, who is known as the "Father of Theology" was a Church leader who was the first to write his works in Latin. Tertullian gave the Latin name Pontifex Maximus (Supreme Pontiff or Pope) to the head of the Catholic Church, Callixtus I, in a sarcastic gesture because Tertullian believed he was exercising too much power in the Church. Tertullian got this word from ancient Rome where the term Pontifex Maximus was used for the highest position within the Roman Republic's Pagan religion. This term became one of many imperial titles given to rulers.
Tertullian, who is known as the "Father of Theology" was a Church leader who was the first to write his works in Latin. Tertullian gave the Latin name Pontifex Maximus (Supreme Pontiff or Pope) to the head of the Catholic Church, Callixtus I, in a sarcastic gesture because Tertullian believed he was exercising too much power in the Church. Tertullian got this word from ancient Rome where the term Pontifex Maximus was used for the highest position within the Roman Republic's Pagan religion. This term became one of many imperial titles given to rulers.
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