Tertullian's Arguments Against Hermogenes

In this passage, Tertullian argues against Hermogenes’ argument that God created the world out of the preexisting matter rather than out of nothing. Hermogenes supports his argument by stating that since “God has always been God, and always Lord”, there had to be something to be the lord over, which is according to him the preexisting matter. On the other hand, Tertullian makes a strict distinction between the terms God and Lord: “God is the title of the substance, the divine nature: Lord the title of power.” Tertullian goes on to explain that God has always been God, but he has become Lord only after the creation “just like he could not be father before he had a son; nor a judge before sin was committed.” Felker-Jones agrees with Tertullian
Just like Felker-Jones states, that belief makes it clear that without God nothing exists or has ever existed. Since this belief is supported by the Scripture, especially the books of Genesis and Revelation, I believe that its authenticity is unquestionable.
In my discipline, psychology, refuting “creation out of nothing”, which is confirmed by the Scripture and Christian tradition, would be the same as claiming that a patient does not have schizophrenia even though he/she is experiencing all the symptoms of the disorder listed in the DSM-V.

3.14 – Augustine on the Relation of God and Evil – Patristic
In this passage, Augustine argues against dualism. He explains that the evil represents turning away from God rather than a separate deity or God’s anger. God is good and “all good is from God.” On the other hand, a sin is “a defective movement” and “that defective movement is voluntary.” Therefore, a sin does not come from God or some evil deity; it is a result of our free will and turning away from God. Similarly, Felker-Jones states that since God is good, it is impossible for Him “to be mean or grudging about