Tertullian, On Idolatry 15

But let your works shine, he says. Yet now our shops and doorways are the ones blazing with light; you will find more pagan thresholds bare of lamps and laurels than Christian ones. What is really going on here? If this is honor paid to idols, then beyond doubt it is idolatry. If it is done for humanity's sake, consider that all idolatry is ultimately practiced for humanity's sake. Consider that all idolatry is the worship of men, since even the nations' gods were once human beings, as their own traditions confirm. So it makes no difference whether this superstition is offered to the men of a former age or to the men of this one. Idolatry stands condemned not because of the persons to whom it is directed, but because of the rites themselves, which belong to demons. "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matt 22:21). What then belongs to Caesar? Precisely the matters under debate at that time — whether the census tax should be paid to Caesar or not. That is why the Lord asked to see a coin and questioned whose image it bore. When they answered, "Caesar's," he replied, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matt 22:21); that is, hand over to Caesar the image of Caesar stamped on the coin, and to God the image of God stamped on humanity — so that you give Caesar money, but give God yourself. Otherwise, what will belong to God if everything belongs to Caesar? So you claim, then, that lamps at doorways and laurels on doorposts are honor to God? Not at all; it is not because this honors God, but because the one who is honored by such rites on God's behalf — as far as outward appearances go, while the hidden operation reaches demons — is being worshiped. We must be certain of this: even if some are ignorant of secular literature, the Romans have gods of doorways — Cardea named from hinges, Forculus from doors, Limentinus from thresholds, and Janus himself from doorways. And we know for a fact that, although these names are empty fabrications, once they are drawn into superstition they seize demons and every unclean spirit through the bond of consecration. Otherwise demons have no individual names, but they find a name wherever they find a pledge. Among the Greeks we also read of Apollo called Thyraios, and the Antelii, demons who preside over doorways. The Holy Spirit, foreseeing these things from the beginning, prophesied through the most ancient prophet Enoch that even doorways would fall into superstition. We see, too, that other doorways in bathhouses are worshiped. But if the beings worshiped at doorways belong to them, then lamps and laurels pertain to them as well. Whatever you do to a doorway, you do to an idol. I testify to this here by the very authority of God, because it is not safe to withhold what has been shown to anyone, especially for the sake of all. I know a brother who was severely rebuked in a vision that very night because his servants had suddenly garlanded his doorway when public rejoicing was announced. He himself had not garlanded it, nor ordered it; he had gone out beforehand and returned to rebuke the act — so highly does the Lord esteem our household discipline in such matters. Therefore, concerning honors paid to kings or emperors, we have a clear rule: we must render full obedience, according to the apostle's precept, subject to magistrates, princes, and powers — but within the limits of our discipline, as long as we are kept separate from idolatry. For this reason the example of the three brothers comes first: though otherwise obedient to King Nebuchadnezzar, they steadfastly refused to honor his image, proving that idolatry is whatever is exalted beyond the measure of human honor to the likeness of divine sublimity (Dan 3:18). So also Daniel, while supporting Darius in other matters, remained in office only as long as he was free from the danger of compromising his discipline. He did not shrink from that danger any more than he feared the royal lions or the royal fires. Let them light lamps every day, then, lamps that give no light; let them fasten laurels to doorposts that will soon wither, doorposts destined for fire. These things are fitting for them — both the testimonies of darkness and the omens of punishment. You are the light of the world, and an evergreen tree (Matt 5:14). If you have renounced temples, do not make your doorway a temple. I have said too little: if you have renounced brothels, do not bring the face of a new brothel into your own home.