Tertullian’s conversion to Montanism as the root cause of the dispute between Cyprian and Novatian over the treatment and fate of the Lapsed

With Tertullian’s conversion to Montanism, a revision came in his penitential theology and ecclesiology. As a catholic he admitted sinners to repentance who would eventually be reconciled to the church in this life. After his conversion he reversed this and barred all grave sinners from knowledge of their reconciliation, though still making them perform penance. Cyprian and Novatian, both readers of Tertullian, took from the two distinct theologies Tertullian produced. Cyprian innovated upon Catholic Tertullian’s foundation and championed episcopal reform by using it. He also used Catholic Tertullian’s penitential theology to claim as his own and mould to his own needs. Novatian used Montanist Tertullian’s rigoristic concepts and practices to help him in his schismatic efforts to make the church the home of the pure. The irremissibility of grave sin which Montanist Tertullian championed would be the main grounds for Novatian’s denial of Cornelius and the setting up of himself as the bishop of Rome and defender of Evangelical Rigor.