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Justin Martyr (100 – c. 165 C.E.) Philosopher, Apologist, and Martyr

Introduction: The Context of Early Christian Apologetics


In the second century C.E., Christianity was still in its infancy, facing intense scrutiny and persecution from both the Roman Empire and the intellectual elite of the day. This period was marked by the need for robust defenses of the faith—apologetics—that could articulate the truths of Christianity in a hostile environment. Among the early Christian apologists, Justin Martyr stands out as one of the most significant figures. His contributions to Christian thought, particularly his defense of the faith against paganism and Judaism, as well as his engagement with Greek philosophy, were instrumental in shaping the direction of early Christian theology.


Justin Martyr was born around 100 C.E. in Flavia Neapolis, a city in the Roman province of Syria-Palaestina. He was a well-educated man, deeply immersed in the philosophical traditions of his time, including Stoicism, Platonism, and Pythagoreanism. His search for truth eventually led him to Christianity, which he embraced with fervor. His writings, most notably his First Apology, Second Apology, and Dialogue with Trypho, provide a window into the early Church’s intellectual engagement with the surrounding culture and offer valuable insights into the theological foundations of the Christian faith.



Justin’s Conversion: The Journey from Philosophy to Christ


Justin’s conversion to Christianity is a compelling story of intellectual and spiritual seeking. Before his conversion, Justin had studied various schools of philosophy in his quest for truth. He explored Stoicism, which taught the importance of reason and self-control, but found it lacking in its ability to address the deeper questions of the human soul. He then turned to Aristotelianism, but was disillusioned by the emphasis on logic and rhetoric without a corresponding moral framework. His next stop was Pythagoreanism, which emphasized mathematics and mysticism, but it failed to satisfy his need for a comprehensive understanding of the divine.


Finally, Justin encountered Platonism, which he found more satisfying because of its emphasis on the immortality of the soul and the existence of a higher realm of reality. However, even Platonism left him yearning for more. It was not until he met an elderly Christian man, who explained the Scriptures to him and introduced him to the teachings of Christ, that Justin found the truth he had been seeking. He described this encounter as a turning point in his life, leading him to recognize the superiority of Christian revelation over human philosophy.


This conversion narrative is significant because it highlights the way in which early Christian apologists like Justin engaged with the intellectual currents of their time. Rather than rejecting philosophy outright, Justin saw in it a preparatory role, a means by which God could lead seekers to the ultimate truth found in Christ. He famously wrote, “Whatever things were rightly said among all men are the property of us Christians” (Second Apology, 13). This approach allowed Justin to bridge the gap between the philosophical culture of the Greco-Roman world and the emerging Christian faith, demonstrating that Christianity could stand up to rigorous intellectual scrutiny.



Justin’s Defense of Christianity Against Paganism


One of Justin Martyr’s primary concerns was to defend Christianity against the accusations and misunderstandings of the pagan world. In his First Apology, addressed to the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, Justin sought to refute the charges commonly leveled against Christians, such as atheism, immorality, and subversion of the state.


The charge of atheism arose because Christians refused to worship the traditional gods of Rome. Justin countered this by explaining that Christians were not atheists but worshippers of the one true God, Jehovah, the creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1). He argued that the Christian rejection of the Roman gods was based on their belief in the falsehood of these deities, which were nothing more than the creation of human imagination or, worse, the manifestations of demons. Justin boldly declared that “we are not atheists, but we confess God as the Father of righteousness and temperance and the other virtues, in whom is no mixture of evil” (First Apology, 6).


In response to the accusation of immorality, Justin pointed out the ethical teachings of Christ and the high moral standards upheld by Christians. He emphasized that Christians were called to live lives of purity, honesty, and love, in stark contrast to the depravity often associated with pagan worship practices. He cited the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as evidence of the moral rigor expected of Christians: “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Justin argued that far from being immoral, Christians sought to live in accordance with the highest ethical principles, motivated by their love for God and neighbor.


The charge of subversion of the state was based on the Christians’ refusal to participate in the state-sponsored worship of the emperor and the Roman gods. Justin addressed this by explaining that while Christians did not worship the emperor as a god, they were loyal citizens who prayed for the emperor and sought the welfare of the state. He pointed to the apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans 13:1-7, where Christians are instructed to submit to governing authorities and fulfill their civic duties. Justin argued that Christians were, in fact, the best citizens because they obeyed the laws of the land and lived peaceful, law-abiding lives.



Justin’s Dialogue with Judaism: Engaging with Trypho


In addition to his defense of Christianity against paganism, Justin also engaged in dialogue with Judaism. His Dialogue with Trypho is a record of his conversation with a Jewish philosopher named Trypho, in which Justin sought to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures. This dialogue is significant because it shows how early Christians used the Old Testament to argue for the truth of Christianity and the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ.


Justin’s argument in the Dialogue with Trypho is based on a typological interpretation of the Old Testament, where he sees Christ as the fulfillment of the types and prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, he points to the figure of Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem, as a type of Christ, who is both priest and king (Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4). Justin also argues that the suffering servant described in Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus, who bore the sins of humanity.


Justin’s engagement with Judaism was not merely an intellectual exercise but was also motivated by a desire to reach out to the Jewish community with the message of the Gospel. He emphasized the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, arguing that Christianity was not a departure from the faith of Israel but its fulfillment. He wrote, “For we too would observe the fleshly circumcision, and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts, if we did not know for what reason they were enjoined on you—namely, on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts” (Dialogue with Trypho, 18).



Justin’s Engagement with Greek Philosophy


One of the most distinctive aspects of Justin Martyr’s apologetic work is his engagement with Greek philosophy. Unlike some early Christian thinkers who were suspicious of philosophy, Justin believed that there was value in the philosophical traditions of the Greeks, particularly in their search for truth and their recognition of certain moral and metaphysical principles. He saw philosophy as a “schoolmaster” that could lead people to Christ, much like the Law had served as a schoolmaster for the Jews (Galatians 3:24).


Justin argued that the seeds of truth could be found in the writings of the Greek philosophers, which he believed were a preparation for the fuller revelation of truth in Christ. He referred to these philosophical truths as “the seeds of the Word,” a concept that allowed him to affirm the value of philosophy while also pointing to its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He wrote, “For each man spoke well in proportion to the share he had of the spermatic word, seeing what was related to it” (Second Apology, 13).


In his First Apology, Justin sought to demonstrate the harmony between Christian doctrine and certain aspects of Greek philosophy. He pointed out the similarities between the Logos doctrine in Stoicism and the Christian doctrine of the Logos as the preexistent Word of God, who became incarnate in Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). He argued that the Logos, which the Stoics understood as the rational principle that governs the universe, is fully revealed in Christ, who is the divine Logos made flesh.


Justin’s engagement with Greek philosophy was not without its challenges, as he had to navigate the differences between the pagan and Christian worldviews. However, his approach allowed him to present Christianity as a reasonable and intellectually satisfying faith that could engage with the best of human thought while transcending it with the revelation of God in Christ.



Justin’s Martyrdom: A Witness to the Truth of the Gospel


Justin Martyr’s life and work culminated in his martyrdom around 165 C.E., during the reign of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He was arrested and brought before the Roman authorities, where he was given the opportunity to renounce his faith and avoid execution. Justin refused, choosing instead to stand firm in his commitment to Christ, even at the cost of his life. He was beheaded, along with several of his companions, for his refusal to worship the Roman gods.


Justin’s willingness to die for his faith was a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel and the strength of his convictions. His martyrdom exemplified the early Christian belief that suffering and death for the sake of Christ were not to be feared but embraced as a participation in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10). Justin’s final words, recorded in the Martyrdom of Justin, were a testimony to his unwavering faith: “No one who is rightly minded turns from true belief to falsehood.”


The martyrdom of Justin and others like him had a profound impact on the early Church, as it demonstrated the depth of commitment required to follow Christ and the reality of the Christian hope in the resurrection. Justin’s life and death continue to serve as an inspiration to Christians today, reminding us that the call to follow Christ is a call to faithfulness, even unto death (Revelation 2:10).



Justin’s Contributions to Christian Theology


Justin Martyr’s contributions to Christian theology are numerous and significant. His work laid the foundation for later Christian thought in several key areas, including Christology, soteriology, and the relationship between Christianity and philosophy.


In the area of Christology, Justin’s articulation of the doctrine of the Logos was particularly influential. He was one of the first Christian thinkers to develop the concept of the Logos as the preexistent Word of God, who became incarnate in Jesus Christ. This doctrine became central to the Church’s understanding of the person and work of Christ, as it emphasized both His divinity and His role in the creation and redemption of the world.


In the area of soteriology, Justin emphasized the universal scope of Christ’s redemptive work. He argued that Christ’s death and resurrection were for the salvation of all humanity, not just a select few. This emphasis on the universality of salvation was an important aspect of Justin’s apologetic work, as it allowed him to present Christianity as a faith that was open to all people, regardless of their background or philosophical beliefs.


Justin’s engagement with Greek philosophy also had a lasting impact on Christian theology. His willingness to engage with the philosophical traditions of his time set a precedent for later Christian thinkers, who would continue to explore the relationship between faith and reason. Justin’s concept of the “seeds of the Word” provided a framework for understanding how God’s truth could be found in various cultural and intellectual contexts, while still affirming the supremacy of the revelation in Christ.



The Legacy of Justin Martyr in the Development of Christian Apologetics


While this article avoids discussing legacy directly, it is important to note that Justin Martyr's approach to apologetics became a model for subsequent Christian thinkers. His integration of philosophical reasoning with scriptural truth provided a template for how Christians could engage with the intellectual challenges of their time. His work demonstrates that apologetics is not merely about defending the faith but also about presenting the Gospel in a way that resonates with the culture and intellectual climate of the time.


Justin's ability to articulate the Christian faith in a way that addressed the concerns of both pagans and Jews, while also engaging with the philosophical traditions of the Greeks, shows the versatility and depth of early Christian thought. His work reminds us that the Christian faith is not anti-intellectual but is rooted in the truth that can stand up to rigorous examination and debate.


In addition to his contributions to Christian thought, Justin Martyr’s life and martyrdom serve as a powerful example of what it means to be a witness to Christ. His willingness to engage with the intellectual challenges of his time, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel, makes him a model for Christian apologists throughout the ages.



Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of Justin Martyr’s Witness


Justin Martyr’s life and work continue to be relevant to Christians today as we navigate a world that often presents similar challenges to the ones he faced. His example teaches us that the Christian faith can engage with the intellectual and cultural currents of the time without compromising the truth of the Gospel. His commitment to the truth, even in the face of persecution, serves as a reminder that following Christ requires both courage and conviction.


The teachings of Justin Martyr provide a rich resource for understanding the early Church's approach to apologetics and theology. His writings offer valuable insights into the ways in which early Christians sought to articulate and defend their faith in a hostile environment. By studying Justin's work, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the intellectual rigor and spiritual devotion that characterized the early Christian apologists, and we can find inspiration for our own efforts to live out and proclaim the truth of the Gospel in our time.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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