"Christians are made, not born"

Tertullian’s statement, "Christians are made, not born", embodies a profound insight into the nature of religious identity and personal transformation. It suggests that Christianity is not a hereditary status or an automatic inheritance by virtue of familial or cultural circumstance. Instead, it is acquired through conscious choice, deliberate instruction, and heartfelt commitment. Human beings enter the world without an innate Christian identity; they must undergo a process that includes learning, conversion, and often a public declaration of faith such as baptism.

The origins of faith, as Tertullian sees it, lie in the deliberate embrace of beliefs, values, and a way of life distinct from natural human tendencies or accidental birthright. Christianity, in his time, was a minority movement distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. To become a Christian required instruction in doctrine, acceptance of spiritual and ethical demands, and sometimes the willingness to endure persecution. In this context, being “made” implies active transformation, a journey that reshapes one's worldview, moral conduct, and sense of self. It emphasizes personal agency and the formative power of the Christian community, which provides teaching, support, and ritual to help converts internalize their new faith.

Furthermore, the phrase underscores the communal and educative responsibilities within the Church. Christian identity is not simply a matter of private belief, but of initiation and assimilation into a living tradition. Catechesis, mentorship, and participation in worship play essential roles in making someone a Christian. For Tertullian, as for much of early Christianity, the faith is passed on through witness, teaching, and example. Thus, the phrase highlights both the necessity of evangelism and the transformative potential of belief. It calls attention to the effort and intention required to nurture and sustain authentic Christian life, as opposed to regarding faith as an unexamined or inherited status.