What is Montanism?

Response

Montanism derives its name from a self-proclaimed prophet named Montanus who resided in Asia Minor during the second century AD. Also known as the Cataphrygian heresy or New Prophecy, Montanism taught that the Holy Spirit continued to provide new revelations through Montanus and his followers, proclaiming that Jesus would soon establish the New Jerusalem in Phrygia.

Initially a priest in an Asiatic cult called Cybele, Montanus later joined the church and asserted that he possessed the gift of prophecy. Eusebius, a church historian from the third century, described Montanus as follows: “In his desire for prominence, he became possessed and would suddenly fall into frenzies and convulsions. He began to speak ecstatically and incoherently, prophesying in opposition to the established practices of the early church. Those who listened to him believed he was under a form of possession. They admonished him and prohibited him from speaking, recalling the caution of the Lord Jesus to be vigilant against the arrival of false prophets” (Ecclesiastical History, 5:16:1). Montanus was accompanied by two women, Priscilla and Maximilla, who also prophesied in trance-like or ecstatic states.

Montanus insisted that the Holy Spirit spoke through him during his ecstatic utterances. He even claimed to embody the Spirit of Truth sent by Jesus in fulfillment of John 14:26. Followers of Montanism also asserted their own inspiration, declaring that their revelatory messages held the same authority as Scripture. Often, their messages were incomprehensible. They were known for speaking in tongues, babbling, and chanting nonsensical phrases.

The Montanists distinguished themselves from “ordinary” Christians by considering themselves “Spirit-filled,” while viewing other Christians as lacking this spiritual fullness. They believed they possessed a superior form of Christianity, having received a unique baptism of the Spirit that empowered them to lead lives of holiness.

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Montanus and his two prophetesses, who collectively referred to themselves as “the Three,” taught a strict moral code. Prolonged fasts were mandatory. Marriage was discouraged, and second marriages were completely prohibited. Montanists rejected any form of compromise with Roman authority, resulting in the martyrdom of many Montanists. Montanus himself encouraged his followers to “seek . . . to die the martyr’s death, that He may be glorified who has suffered for you” (Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione, 9).

Montanism propagated the belief that the Holy Spirit had arrived (in the form of Montanus) to cleanse the church in anticipation of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. They anticipated the New Jerusalem descending from heaven onto a plain in Phrygia near Pepuza, the Montanist headquarters in Asia Minor. To better prepare for the forthcoming kingdom, numerous Montanists relocated to that region.

Around AD 177, approximately twenty years after Montanus commenced promoting his charismatic gifts, the church disavowed him and his two prophetesses. Tertullian was a notable exception, defending the movement and assuming a leadership role among the Montanists in Carthage. Various local synods began to denounce Montanism for its divisive tendencies and its promotion of new revelations. The Three upheld the authenticity of their prophecies. Upon Maximilla’s excommunication, she declared, “I am driven off from among the sheep like a wolf; I am not a wolf, but I am speech, and spirit, and power” (quoted in www.newadvent.org/cathen/10521a.htm, accessed 11/28/22).

The early church did not dismiss all prophecy, but it expected New Testament prophets to adhere to the precedent set by earlier prophets of God. The prophets of the Old Testament were logical in their thoughts and actions. They conveyed a coherent message, maintained composure, and spoke with rationale and comprehension. In contrast, Montanus, Priscilla, and Maximilla exhibited irrational behavior during their prophecies. Furthermore, the Montanist doctrine of a dual-tiered Christianity (those with the Spirit and those without) was not supported by the Bible. Troubling claims arose from this teaching.

From Montanus stating, “I am the Father, the Word, and the Paraclete” (ibid., accessed 11/28/22), it became necessary to distinguish the church from Montanism.

Montanus contended that he was facing persecution just as Jesus foretold His true followers would in Matthew 23:34. However, Montanus’ opponents highlighted that neither he nor his followers had experienced persecution or martyrdom due to the unique aspects of their beliefs. The Montanists who were martyred died for their scriptural refusal to worship Caesar and the Roman deities.