Justin
Martyr lived from 100-168 AD. He was a Gentile that was born in Palestine. He
was raised in Greco-Roman polytheism, studying Stoicism and the Pythagoreans He
converted to Christianity after he witnessed several Christian martyrdoms take
place. He taught what he called the “true
philosophy” and served as a skilled teacher and apologist for the Christian
faith while living in Rome.
Justin
Martyr’s Christian faith led him to an affirmation which was not to be found in
Philo.[1]
Because of his familiarity and education in secular philosophy, Justin Martyr
was a very affective apologist for the Christian faith in the time of some
serious times of hostility towards those who were known Christians.
Justin
was martyred in Rome under the rule of Marcus Aurelius. He and six followers
were arrested and ordered to sacrifice to pagan idols. When they refused they
were scourged and then beheaded.[2] His
writings include four key works:
Read Justin’s First Apology on
line at:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html
Read Justin’s Second Apology on
line at:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-secondapology.html
Read Justin’s work titled On the
Resurrection on line at:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
Read Justin’s other fragments of
writings on line at:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-fragments.html
His most famous work is his “First
Apology” in which he justifies the exclusive worship of Jesus Christ and
also defines the Old Testament as an inspired text by God. He also defends the
Old Testament Messianic prophecies concentrating on the Virgin birth and
Bethlehem as the place where Jesus was born in fulfillment of the Old Testament
Messianic prophecies.
Justin
also participated in a very well known series of communications. The dialogue
between Justin Martyr and a
Jewish scholar named Trypho took place
around the same time as the Jewish Barcochba Revolt, circa 135 AD. It was
the last known discussion to take place between the two religions until after
the 16th century Reformation. In that dialogue Justin recognized the second
coming themes in the book of Daniel and presented a possible scenario depicting
an anti-Christ “man of apostasy” to Trypho.
[1] Latourette, Kennetyh S. A History of Christianity Vol.1 (Peabody Massachusetts, Prince
Press,2007) p.142
[2] Foxe,
John The New Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
(Gainesville, Florida, Bridge-Logos Publishers, 2001) p.17