Book 291 of the Bucket List Book Adventure - The First Apology Justin Martyr
Book 291 of the Bucket List Book Adventure - The First Apology, Justin Martyr
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Bucket List Book Adventure
St. Justin Martyr was born around AD 100 in Flavia Neapolis, or modern Nablus in the West Bank. He wasn’t raised Christian, or even Jewish, but grew up a Greek pagan who spent years exploring every major philosophical school of his time. It was only after this long period of searching that he converted to Christianity. His journey is something I deeply respect and reminds me a great deal of my own faith journey.
"Reason dictates that those who are truly pious and philosophers should honor and love only the truth, declining to follow the opinions of the ancients, if they are worthless."
St. Justin Martyr
After his baptism, Justin traveled widely, supported himself as a philosopher and teacher, and eventually opened a Christian philosophical school in Rome. This was highly unusual at the time: his school welcomed women, former slaves, immigrants, and anyone sincerely seeking truth. Around AD 165, Justin and several of his students: Chariton, Charites, Paeonius, Euelpistus, Hierax, and Liberianus, were arrested, scourged, and beheaded together under the Roman prefect Junius Rusticus.
The First Apology was written to Emperor Antoninus Pius and the Roman Senate, and much like Plato’s Apology, it isn’t an apology in the modern sense. Instead, Justin presents a clear, reasoned defense of Christianity and an argument against the injustice of persecuting people solely for bearing the name “Christian.”
"Unless both rulers and ruled love wisdom, it is impossible to make cities prosper."
St Justin Martyr
It was a genuinely interesting read. Justin’s education in Greek and Roman philosophy was extraordinary, and his understanding of Christian theology was equally deep. His Apology often reads like a woven tapestry, comparing and contrasting and ultimately showing how the moral insights of Greek philosophy were stepping stones toward Christianity. Just as early Christians understood Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish Scripture, Justin believed the teachings of Plato and Socrates found their completion in Christ, the Logos.
One thing that surprised me, though, was the emphasis Justin placed on demonic influence. Today, we live in a world where almost no one believes in the demonic, and the very word makes people scoff. Yet Justin took the reality of evil forces extremely seriously, especially when explaining religious persecution and moral corruption. And honestly… I’m not entirely sure he was wrong. Given the state of the world, with evil that seems to possess both intelligence and intent, what else are we supposed to call it?
"But we have received [from Tradition] that God does not need material offerings from people, seeing that He Himself is the provider of all things."
St. Justin Martyr
And once again, just as with the Epistle of Barnabas and the Didache, I was struck by how consistent these early Christian writings are with modern Church teaching. Far from being strange or foreign, Justin’s explanations of worship, morality, and the Eucharist feel like watching the roots of Catholic theology in real time. These ancient texts truly highlight the continuity of the faith.
PS: There is a YouTube Video! Check it out here:https://youtu.be/OnIX5fR_qq8
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller based in Tontitown, Arkansas.
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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