Justin Martyr (AKA Saint Justin) was a second century Christian leader, teacher, and writer. Only three of his works survive today: the lengthy Dialogue with Trypho and two shorter apologies. This book contains both apologies, written around 156-58 or so and addressed to the emperors Antoninus Pius, his sons, and the Roman Senate. An apology is a special kind of genre in Christian literature where the writer attempts to use logic and reason to defend the faith against outside attack. At the time...

A well organized appeal to the emperor to stop persecuting Christians. He first appeals to common sense. Why are Christians being persecuted simply because they are so-called? He then moves on to educate those reading the letter about what it is exactly Christians believe, how they are taught to submit to authorities, pay taxes, etc. Finally he seeks to prove Christianity by appeals to fulfilled prophecy. It is also interesting to note his responses to the different heresies of his day. Recommen...

But in no instance, not even in any of those called sons of Jupiter, did they imitate the being crucified; for it was not understood by them, all the things said of it having been put symbolically. And this, as the prophet foretold, is the greatest symbol of His power and rule; as is also proved by the things which fall under our observation. For consider all the things in the world, whether without this form they could be administered or have any community. For the sea is not traversed except t...

Cité par Eusèbe, Justin de Naplouse est un Chrétien du début du deuxième siècle de notre ère. En ces temps difficiles pour la chrétienté, les autorités traquent les sympathisants de cette doctrine. Ceux qui témoignent (μαρτυρω - martyr) de leur foi, sont contraint d'abjurer sous la menace de tortures que certains préfèrent souffrir plutôt que de renier. On ne connaît pas avec précision les raisons qui motivent ces persécutions, donc on est réduit à supputer que les puissances politiques et relig...

Very interesting documents by a second-century christian philosopher to the Roman Emperor (First Apology) and the Roman Senate (Second Apology) defending Christianity. Unfortunately, the edition I read contained no commentary which I think would greatly increase understanding of this book.Of note, the First Apology provides one of the earliest descriptions of a church service and the eucharist. He also advances the argument that other religions were the work of demons who were fallen angels.

Första apologin är betydligt intressantare än den andra. I båda fallen försöker författaren förklara kristendomen för icketroende. Tyvärr kommer jag faktiskt inte ihåg hans argument, vilket s.a.s. talar mot bokens beständighet.

I read both of these awhile back, though not in this edition. Used sections in the First Apology for teaching high school students apologetics this spring.

The other set of books that I have stored at my parents' place is a complete set of the works of the early Church fathers. After my mission, I was intent on reading everything I could about early Christianity, but never was able to actually tackle the huge library of works by Augustine, Hippolytus, Basil, Hilary, and Jerome. I have run into the names in many other works I have read along the way, and perhaps can appreciate some of the context I get this time around.I chose to start with the firs...

#2 Catholic Lifetime Reading PlanGeen review van het boek zelf, daar ben ik niet voor gekwalificeerd.Wel een review van deze editie (Paulist Press). Ik ben blij dat ik deze editie gekozen heb. Prijzig, maar zeer de moeite waard. Het boek bestaat voor 2/3 uit voetnoten en zonder die voetnoten had ik er niets van kunnen maken. Zelfs de voetnoten waren nog erg lastig om te lezen, vol verwijzingen naar vorige voetnoten en andere literatuur.

So refreshing to read Justin Martyr defend Christianity with sound reason in the midst of a Roman and Greek culture that worshiped pagan gods. He does an excellent job showing how many Greek gods imitated Christ partially, but none of them grasped who he really was because none of them grasped the cross. I enjoyed reading Justin's view of how Christ was the 'Logos' that the philosophers talked about and contemplated. Even Plato reasoned about eternal things, but couldn't grasp Christ being the L...

The Logos As a result of having recently read A History Of Christianity , I compiled a list of historically influential Christian writers to consider reading. Among the earliest was Justin Martyr (100–165) who appealed to me because he was one of the first to identify Christ in conjunction with the “Logos” (the Word, Reason, or Rationality). Some of the basis for this assertion is John I: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and also the book of Genesi...

After the age of the Apostolic Fathers came the age of the Apologists (Theophilus of Antioch, Athenagoras, Aristides), and undoubtedly the greatest of these was Justin Martyr. This marked a new era of Christian engagement with the Greco-Roman world (e.g. Justin's 1st & 2nd Apologies), but also with Jewish thought (e.g. Justin's 'Dialogue with Trypho').Whilst both Judaism and Christianity's monotheism precluded the syncretism of also worshipping the pantheon of gods, Judaism was - uniquely - tole...

The last complete works by Justin Martyr on my list to read, the First Apology I actually listened to on Librivox. The reading was enough to keep me engaged, which is more than I can say for many such recordings (I think only the stories of H. Beam Piper have previously been very compelling--and those like listening to old sci-fi radio shows, they were so good). Part of my engagement here likely had to do with my interest in the subject, so I'm not how well the listening my translate to others.A...

Can't Beat Second Century Literature!Obviously, Justin Martyr is required reading for anyone wanting to get closer to the Apostolic Fathers (and Mothers). Writing to Caesar Antonius Pius (one of the "5 Good Emperors), he clearly stated the theology of the Word, thereby validating the existing religion with the caveat that it was incomplete. Where previous men had recieved the Word but did not know the Word, Christ was the Word in flesh. Justin also showed how Christians at the time (in devotion

Decent translation, great content and important figure.This short book is a great glimpse into what the 2nd century church had to deal with in opposition; much of it misunderstanding and ignorance on the opposing sides of the Christians. Christians got accused of immorality, atheism and even cannibalism. The majority of this book is Justin defending Christians and their positions that were completely misunderstood and outright lied about. Justin spends much of his time refuting these accusations...

Having just read Clement, it is interesting to notice the contrasting styles. Justin draws heavily from the philosophers, that being his background and the background of his audience. Oddly, I find this structure of writing more intuitive than Clement's, even though Clement's style is more biblical which I should be more familiar with. Regardless, though I found some of Justin's arguments to be slightly lacking, overall he builds a string case and offers an interesting insight into Christian his...

Justin Martyr (100-165 AD) writes to Roman Emperor Antoninus asking to cease persecution of Christians basing his argument on several rational fronts. But his statement "For as for us, we reckon that no evil can be done us, unless we be convicted as evil-doers or be proved to be wicked men, and you can kill, but not hurt us." becomes increasingly relevant for believing Christians today.

Awesome.

Very fascinating.

Justin's thoughts were really very scattered and it made the text hard to follow.

Great translation of one of the greatest luminaries of the early church.

[Disclaimer: this review was written some time after my completion of the book. Please judge accordingly.]This book contains two apologies for Christianity from the mid-second century, written by Justin Martyr. The impetus for this lay not just in their persecution, but in the slanders against them: that they defied the authority of the divine emperors, practiced cannibalism, and held shocking and bizarre beliefs. We have records of such accusations in Pliny the Younger’s letters and Tacitus’ Hi...

A great little book on early Christianity. Justin lays out a defense for Christianity against Roman persecution. We find here one of the earliest systematic articulations of Christian theology, including Justin's rule of faith which is picked up on by Irenaeus and later Christians, making it hugely influential in the shaping of Christian orthodoxy. There's also a good bit on Christian worship in the second century in here, with descriptions of the baptism service as well as the Eucharist. It's n...

"We hated and destroyed one another and on account of their different manners would not live with men of a different tribe. Now, since the coming of Christ, we live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies, and endeavour to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live conformably to the good precepts of Christ, to the end that they may become partakers with us of the same joyful hope of a reward from God the ruler of all."

Not a quick read.I recommend this to anyone who engages in or wants to engage in the defense of the Christian faith. It is both comforting and troubling to hear a martyr defend against secularism in the 2nd century that mirrors the secularism of today. If you read this volume, take your time and digest slowly.

Justin Martyr's work is epochal for the development of Christian doctrine. In presenting the faith as rational, he may go too far in the direction of smoothing over differences. This shows up pretty starkly in his denial that God has a name; a position that makes dialogue with Plato easy but makes straightforward interpretation of the Torah difficult.

I don't know how to rate a book like this, but I loved the sacramental worship descriptions at the end of the first apology and I enjoyed reading the second apology far more than the first.I would choose to read his Dialogue with Trypho over the Apologies if I had to choose.

Here's a list of reasons why you should stop killing Christians.

Great content but a terrible translation.

Something every student of Church History and the Fathers should read.