Saint Justin, martyr
Justin était originaire de Samarie. Après s'être converti il ouvrit à Rome une école de philosophie. Vers 150, il écrivit un livre où il argumentait avec les juifs et il adressa à l'empereur Antonin une Apologie des chrétiens. Dénoncé par un collègue, il professa fermement sa foi devant le juge et il fut condamné à mort avec six autres chrétiens (vers 165).
Saint Justin
Philosophe et martyr (+ 165)
Martyrologe romain
Dernières paroles du mystérieux vieillard rencontré
par le philosophe Justin au bord de la mer: "Prie avant tout pour que les
portes de la lumière te soient ouvertes, parce que personne ne peut voir et
comprendre, si Dieu et son Christ ne lui accordent pas de comprendre" (Dial.
7, 3).
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1256/Saint-Justin.html
BENOÎT XVI
SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070321_fr.html
SOURCE : http://www.1000questions.net/fr/Qui-sont/saint_justin.html
SOURCE : http://www.introibo.fr/14-04-St-Justin-martyr
Portrait de Saint Justin dans André Thevet,
Les Vrais Portraits et Vies des Hommes Illustres, 1584
Church (Pieve) San Giustino, in San Giustino Valdarno,
hamlet of Loro Ciuffenna, Province of Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
LE MARTYRE DE SAINT JUSTIN. A ROME, EN L'ANNÉE 163
ACTES DE SAINT JUSTIN, PHILOSOPHIE, ET DE SES COMPAGNONS
LES MARTYRS. Recueil de pièces authentiques sur les martyrs depuis les origines du Christianisme jusqu'au XXe siècle, Traduites et publiées par le r. p. dom h. LECLERCQ, Moine bénédictin de Saint-Michel de Farnborough. TOME I. Les Temps Néronien et Le Deuxième Siècle. Précédé d'une introduction, Quatrième édition. Imprimi potest. Fr. Ferdinandus CABROL, Prior Sancti Michaelis Farnborough. Die 4 Maii 1903. Imprimatur. Turonibus, die 18 Octobris 1920. P. BATAILLE, vic. gén. ANIMULAE NECTAREAE EORGINAE FRANCISCAE STUART
Les persécutions et la
joie de l’amour
Saint Justin disait que
la principale raison qui le porta à se faire chrétien fut l’allégresse qui
paraissait sur le visage des martyrs au milieu des tortures, ne pouvant se
persuader que la chose du monde dont l’humanité a le plus d’horreur, pût être
soufferte avec joie, si une douceur secrète et inconnue ne changeait en délices
de si horribles tourments. Mais ce saint martyr ajoute qu’après avoir embrassé
le christianisme, il avait été convaincu par sa propre expérience, qu’il n’y a
point de peine corporelle, quelque affreuse qu’elle soit, qui puisse étouffer
le sentiment intérieur que Jésus Christ donne à ceux qui souffrent pour lui.
Ce n’est pas qu’ils ne
sentent pas la douleur, mais elle est pour ainsi dire détrempée dans un océan
de purs délices que le monde ne connaît point, que l’œil n’a point vu, que
l’oreille n’a point entendu, et que l’amour seul expérimente. Dieu est alors
beaucoup plus glorifié par la joie que ses serviteurs témoignent dans les
souffrances, que s’ils étaient demeurés dans le paradis terrestre ; et ils
n’en sont pas moins heureux, puisque le pur amour leur fait un paradis
délicieux de leurs propres misères.
Thomas de Jésus
Thomas de Jésus († 1582),
augustin portugais, connut la prison au Maroc pour avoir refusé d’abjurer sa
foi chrétienne. / Les souffrances de Notre-Seigneur Jésus Christ, Lyon, Paris,
1828, p. 247.
SOURCE : https://fr.aleteia.org/daily-prayer/mercredi-29-novembre-2/meditation-de-ce-jour-1/
Also known as
Justin the Philosopher
formerly 14 April
Profile
Pagan philosopher who converted at
age 30 by reading the Scriptures and witnessing the heroism and faith of martyrs.
Used his philosophical and oratorical skills
to dispute with pagans and
explain the faith,
becoming one of the first great Christian apologists.
He opened a school of
public debate in Rome, Italy.
All this naturally brought him to the attention of the authorities, and he died
a martyr.
Born
beheaded in 165 at Rome, Italy
relics in
the Capuchin church, Rome
Additional Information
Book
of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
Lives
of the Saints, by Father Alban
Butler
Martyrdom
of the Holy Martyrs Justin, Chariton, Charites, Paeon and Liberianus, Who
Suffered at Rome
Pope
Benedict XVI, General Audience, 21 March 2007
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
—
First
Apology, by Saint Justin
Second
Apology, by Saint Justin
Dialogue
with Trypho, by Saint Justin
Discourse
to the Greek, by Saint Justin
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other sites in english
1001 Patron Saints and Their Feast Days, Australian
Catholic Truth Society
Catholic Book Blogger
Saint Justin: Why Not Choose Death
Saint Justin: Be Worthy of Your Creation
images
audio
e-book
Library of Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church, v40, by
Saint Justin Martyr
Saint Justin the Martyr, by Father Cyril Martindale
video
sitios en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
sites en français
Abbé Christian-Philippe Chanut
fonti in italiano
Martirologio Romano, 2005 edition
Readings
As by the Word of God, Jesus our Savior was made Flesh
and had both Flesh and Blood for our salvation, so also the food which has been
blessed by the word of prayer instituted by Him is both the Flesh and Blood of
Jesus Incarnate. – Saint Justin
Martyr
The saints were seized and brought before the prefect
of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgment seat,
Rusticus the prefect said to Justin, “Above all, have faith in the gods and
obey the emperors.” Justin replied, “We cannot be accused or condemned for
obeying the commands of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Rusticus said, “What system
of teaching do you profess?” Justin said, “I have tried to learn about every
system, but I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians, though these
are not approved by those who are held fast by error.” The prefect Rusticus
said, “Are those doctrines approved by you, wretch that you are?” Justin said,
“Yes, for I follow them with their correct teaching.” The prefect Rusticus
said, “What sort of teaching is that?” Justin said, “Worship the God of the
Christians. We hold him to be from the beginning the one creator and maker of
the whole creation, of things seen and things unseen. We worship also the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Rusticus said, “You are a Christian, then?”
Justin said, “Yes, I am a Christian.” The prefect said to Justin, “You are
called a learned man and think you know what is true teaching. Listen: if you
were scourged and beheaded, are you convinced that you would go up to heaven?”
Justin said, “I hope that I shall enter God’s house if I suffer in that way.
For I know that God’s favor is stored up until the end of the whole world for
all who have lived good lives.” The prefect Rusticus said, “Do you have an idea
that you will go up to heaven to receive some suitable rewards?” Justin said,
“It is not an idea that I have; it is something I know well and hold to be most
certain.” The prefect Rusticus said, “Now let us come to the point at issue,
which is necessary and urgent. Gather round then and with one accord offer
sacrifice to the gods.” Justin said, “No one who is right-thinking stoops from
true worship to false worship.” The prefect Rusticus said, “If you do not do as
you are commanded you will be tortured without mercy.” Justin said, “We hope to
suffer torment for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved.” In the
same way the other martyrs also said, “Do what you will. We are Christians; we
do not offer sacrifice to idols.” The
prefect Rusticus pronounced sentence, saying, “Let those who have refused to
sacrifice to the gods and to obey the command of the emperor be scourged and
led away to suffer capital punishment according to the ruling of the laws.”
Glorifying God, the holy martyrs were beheaded, and so fulfilled their witness
of martyrdom in confessing their faith in their Savior. – from the Acts of the Martyrdom of Saint Justin and his Companions
Through Christ we received new life and we consecrated
ourselves to God. I will explain the way in which we did this. Those who
believe what we teach is true and who give assurance of their ability to live
according to that teaching are taught to ask God’s forgiveness for their sins
by prayer and fasting and we pray and fast with them. We then lead them to a
place where there is water and they are reborn in the same way as we were
reborn; that is to say, they are washed in the water in the name of God, the
Father and Lord of the whole universe, of our Savior Jesus Christ and of
the Holy
Spirit. This is done because Christ said: Unless you are born again you
will not enter the kingdom of heaven, and it is impossible for anyone, having
once been born, to reenter his mother’s womb. An explanation of how repentant
sinners are to be freed from their sins is given through the prophet Isaiah in
the words: Wash yourselves and be clean. Remove the evil from your souls; learn
to do what is right. Be just to the orphan, vindicate the widow. Come, let us
reason together, says the Lord. If your sins are like scarlet, I will make them
white as wool; if they are like crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if
you do not heed me, you shall be devoured by the sword. The mouth of the Lord
has spoken. The apostles taught us the reason for this ceremony of ours. Our
first birth took place without our knowledge or consent because our parents
came together, and we grew up in the midst of wickedness. So if we were not to
remain children of
necessity and ignorance, we needed a new birth of which we ourselves would be
conscious, and which would be the result of our own free choice. We needed,
too, to have our sins forgiven. This is why the name of God, the Father and
Lord of the whole universe, is pronounced in the water over anyone who chooses
to be born again and who has repented of his sins. The person who leads the
candidate for baptism to
the font calls upon God by this name alone, for God so far surpasses our powers
of description that no one can really give a name to him. Anyone who dares to
say that he can must be hopelessly insane. This baptism is
called “illumination” because of the mental enlightenment that is experienced
by those who learn these things. The person receiving this enlightenment is
also baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius
Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who through the prophets foretold everything concerning Jesus. – from the
first apology in defense of the Christians by Saint Justin, martyr
MLA Citation
“Saint Justin Martyr“. CatholicSaints.Info. 22
April 2021. Web. 1 June 2021.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-justin-martyr/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-justin-martyr/
Mosaics in Mount of Beatitudes: (1) John the Baptist
(2) Justin Martyr (3) David (words: Psalm 18:19)
Казнь Св. Иустина Философа (мозаика на горе Блаженств,
Израиль)
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-justin-martyr/
Stained glass depiction of Justin Martyr. Great St Mary's church in
Cambridge.
Иустин Философ. Витраж. Церковь Святой Марии, Кембридж (Великобритания).
Life
Works
- i-iii: exordium to the emperors: Justin is about
to enlighten them and free himself of responsibility, which will now be
wholly theirs.
- iv-xii: first part or introduction:
- the anti-Christian procedure is iniquitous: they persecute in the Christians a name only (iv, v);
- Christians are neither Atheists nor criminals (vi, vii);
- they allow themselves to be killed rather than deny their God (viii);
- they refuse to adore idols (ix, xii);
- conclusion
(xii).
- xiii-lxvii: Second part (exposition and
demonstration of Christianity):
- Christians adore the
crucified Christ, as well
as God (xiii);
- Christ is their Master; moral precepts (xiv-xvii);
- the future
life, judgement, etc.
(xviii-xx).
- Christ is the Incarnate Word (xxi-lx);
- comparison with pagan heroes, Hermes, Æsculapius, etc. (xxi-xxii);
- superiority of Christ and of Christianity before Christ (xlvi).
- The similarities that we find in the pagan worship and philosophy come from the devils (liv-lx).
- Description of Christian worship: baptism (lxi);
- the Eucharist (lxv-lxvi);
- Sunday-observance
(lxvii).
- Recent injustice of the Prefect Urbinus towards the Christians (i-iii).
- Why it is that God permits these evils: Providence, human liberty, last judgement (iv-xii).
- i-ix. Introduction: Justin gives the story of his philosophic education and of this conversion.
One mayknow God only through the Holy
Ghost; the soul is not immortal by its nature; to know truth it isnecessary to study the Prophets.
- x-xxx: On the law. Tryphon reproaches the Christians for not observing the law. Justin
replies that according to the Prophets themselves the law should be abrogated, it had only been given to the Jews on account of their hardness. Superiority of the Christian circumcision, necessary even for the Jews. Theeternal law laid down by Christ.
- xxxi-cviii: On Christ:
His two comings (xxxi sqq.); the law a figure of Christ (xl-xlv); the Divinity and the pre-existence of Christ proved above all by the Old Testament apparitions (theophanies)
(lvi-lxii);incarnation and virginal conception (lxv sqq.); the death
of Christ foretold (lxxxvi sqq.); His resurrection(cvi
sqq.).
- cviii to the end: On the Christians. The conversion of the nations foretold by the Prophets (cix sqq.);Christians are a holier people than the Jews (cxix sqq.); the promises were made to them (cxxi); they were
prefigured in the Old Testament (cxxxiv sqq.). The "Dialogue" concludes with wishes for
theconversion of the Jews.
- "On the Resurrection" (for its numerous
fragments see Otto, "Corpus Apolog.",
2nd ed., III, 210-48 and the "Sacra Parallela", Holl, "Fragmente
vornicänischer Kirchenväter aus den Sacra Parallela" in
"Texte und Untersuchungen", new series, V, 2, Leipzig, 1899,
36-49). The treatise from which these fragments are taken was attributed
to St. Justin by St.
Methodius (early fourth
century) and was quoted by St.
Irenæusand Tertullian, who do
not, however, name the author. The attribution of the fragments to
Justin is therefore probable (Harnack, "Chronologie", 508; Bousset, "Die
Evangeliencitaten Justins", Göttingen, 1891, 123sq.; archambault,
"Le témoignage de l'ancienne littérature Chrétienne sur
l'authenticité d'un traité sur la resurrection attribué à Justin l'Apologiste"
in "Revuede Philologie", XXIX, 1905, 73-93). The chief interest of these fragments consists in
the introduction, where is explained with much force the transcendent nature of faith and the proper nature of its motives.
- "A Discourse to the Greeks" (Otto, op.
cit., III, 1, 2, 18), an apocryphal tract, dated by Harnack (Sitzungsberichte der
k. preuss. Akad. d. Wiss. zu Berlin, 1896, 627-46), about A.D.
180-240. Later it was altered and enlarged in Syriac: text and English translation by Cureton,
"Spicileg. Syr.",
London, 1855, 38-42, 61-69.
- "Exhortation to the Greeks" (Otto, op.
cit., 18-126). The authenticity of this has been defended without
success by Widman ("Die Echtheit der Mahnrede Justins an die Heiden", Mainz,
1902); Puech, "Sur lelogos
parainetikos attribué à
Justin" in "Mélanges Weil", Paris, 1898, 395-406, dates it about 260-300, but most critics say, with more probability, A.D.
180-240 (Gaul, "Die Abfassungsverhältnisse der pseudojustinischen
Cohortatio ad Græcos", Potsdam, 1902).
- "On Monarchy" (Otto, op. cit.,
126-158), tract of uncertain date,
in which are freely quoted Greek poets altered by some Jew.
- "Exposition of the Faith" (Otto, op.
cit., IV, 2-66), a dogmatic treatise on the Trinity and the Incarnationpreserved in two
copies the longer of which seems the more ancient. It is quoted for the
first time byLeontius of Byzantium (d. 543) and refers to the Christological discussions of the fifth century; it seems, therefore, to date from
the second half of that century.
- "Letter to Zenas and Serenus" (Otto, op.
cit., 66-98), attributed by Batiffol in "Revue Biblique", VI,
1896, 114-22, to Sisinnios, the Novatian Bishop of Constantinople about A.D. 400.
- "Answers
to the Orthodox."
- "The Christian's Questions to the Greeks."
- "The Greek's Questions to the Christians."
- "Refutation of certain Aristotelean theses" (Otto, op. cit., IV,
100-222; V, 4-366).
Doctrine
Justin and
philosophy
Justin and Christian revelation
The Bible of Justin
The Old Testament
The New Testament
Apologetical method
Theology
God
The Logos
Lebreton, Jules. "St. Justin Martyr." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 1 Jun. 2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08580c.htm>.
Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Гравюра Св. Иустина Философа в книге André Thévet, Les Vrais Pourtraits et Vies Hommes
Illustres, 1584.
Engraving of Justin Martyr in André Thévet, Les Vrais Pourtraits et Vies Hommes
Illustres, 1584.
Lives of Illustrious Men – Justin
the philosopher
Article
Justin, a philosopher, and wearing the garb of
philosopher, a citizen of Neapolis, a city of Palestine, and the son of Priscus
Bacchius, laboured strenuously in behalf of the religion of Christ, insomuch
that he delivered to Antoninus Pius and his sons and the senate, a work written
Against the nations, and did not shun the ignominy of the cross. He addressed
another book also to the successors of this Antoninus, Marcus Antoninus Verus
and Lucius Aurelius Com-modus. Another volume of his Against the nations,
is also extant, where he discusses the nature of demons, and a fourth against
the nations which he entitled, Refutation and yet another On the
sovereignty of God, and another book which be entitled, Psaltes, and
another On the Soul, the Dialogue against the Jews, which he held
against Trypho, the leader of the Jews, and also notable volumes Against
Marcion, which Irenaeus also mentions in the fourth book Against heresies,
also another book Against all heresies which he mentions in the Apology which
is addressed to Antoninus Pius. He, when he had held diatribae in the city of
Rome, and had convicted Crescens the cynic, who said many blasphemous things
against the Christians, of gluttony and fear of death, and bad proved him
devoted to luxury and lusts, at last, accused of being a Christian, through the
efforts and wiles of Crescens, he shed his blood for Christ.
MLA Citation
Saint Jerome.
“Justin the philosopher”. Lives of Illustrious Men,
translated by Ernest Cushing Richardson. CatholicSaints.Info. 20 November
2014. Web. 2 June 2021.
<https://catholicsaints.info/lives-of-illustrious-men-justin-the-philosopher/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/lives-of-illustrious-men-justin-the-philosopher/
Roma, viale Alessandrino: san Giustino
Justin M (Justin the Philosopher) (RM)
Born in Flavia Neapolis, Samaria, c. 100; died 165; feast day formerly on April 13 or 14.
"Is this not the task of philosophy to enquire about the divine?" --Saint Justin Martyr.
The blood of the martyrs flourished in its hundred-fold increase, as Saint Justin has well observed: "We are slain with the sword, but we increase and multiply; the more we are persecuted and destroyed, the more are deaf to our numbers. As a vine, by being pruned and cut close, shoots forth new suckers, and bears a greater abundance of fruit; so is it with us."
Saint Justin was a layman and the first great Christian philosopher who wrote books of sizable length. His own writing gives details of his life. According to his account his pagan parents were of Greek origin. He was given a liberal education and devoted himself particularly to rhetoric, poetry, and history. He then moved on to the study of philosophy, and he studied the system of the Stoics, then gave it up because it taught him nothing of God.
He applied to the school of Pythagoras but was told that a preliminary knowledge of music, geometry, and astronomy would be required. He came into contact with a respected Platonist, however, who led him to the science of God.
One day, while wandering near the seashore, reflecting upon one of Plato's maxims, he saw an impressive-looking old man, whom he engaged in a discussion about the maxim. The man told him of a philosophy nobler and more fulfilling than any he had yet studied-- one that had been revealed by God to the Hebrew prophets and culminated in Jesus Christ.
Justin was inspired to study the Scriptures and to learn about Christianity. He found that while the teachings of Plato are not identical to Christianity, they led him to embrace the teachings of Jesus. He is said to have become converted by his reading and by observing the heroism of martyrs. He became a Christian at the age of 30 and was baptized at Ephesus or Alexandria, both cities that he visited.
In his teaching as well as his writing, he described the faith of the Christians and what took place at their meetings, an approach that most early Christians avoided in order to protect their rites from profanation. He tried to show that faith was compatible with rational thought.
He travelled much and held disputations with pagans, heretics, and Jews. At a time when Christians were continually subjected to persecution by the civil authorities, his first open defense of Christianity was addressed to the Emperor Antonius Pius, along with the emperor's three adopted sons. His second great public defense, written about the year 161 was addressed to the Roman Senate itself.
Justin did not believe that everything he learned before becoming a Christian must necessarily be untrue. "Those who have been inspired by the creative word of God, see through this a measure of the truth," he wrote. "We are taught that Christ, the first-born of God, is the word of which the whole human race partakes, so that those who before him lived according to reason may be called Christian, even though accounted atheists." Justin wanted to embrace people like the Greek Socrates and the Jewish father Abraham into the fold of Christianity.
At last he came to Rome, where he opened a Christian school, with Tatian as one of his students. At some point he presented his Apology to the emperor Marcus Aurelius. He argued in public with a Cynic named Crescens, whom he accused of ignorance and misrepresentation. It is believed that it was through the machinations of Crescens' followers that Justin was arrested.
He was brought before Rusticus, the prefect of Rome, and records of his trial still exist. He stated his beliefs openly. When asked to sacrifice to idols, Justin replied, "No right-minded man forsakes truth for falsehood." He was sentenced to be scourged and beheaded. Six other Christians, including a woman, died with him (Bentley, White).
Saint Justin is depicted in art with an ax or a sword--the instrument of his martyrdom (White). Justin is the patron of philosophers and philosophy, and apologists (White).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0601.shtml
Justin Martyr. Menaion (fragment). Russia, first half of XVI century. Located in Ikonen-Museum Recklinghausen (Germany).
Иустин Философ. Минея годовая (фрагмент). Россия, первая половина XVI в. Хранится в музее икон в Реклингхаузене (Германия).
ST. JUSTIN was born at Neapolis, now Naplosa, the ancient Sichem, and formerly the capital of the province of Samaria. Vespasian, having endowed its inhabitants with the privileges belonging to Roman citizens, gave it the name of Flavia. His son Titus sent thither a colony of Greeks, among whom were the father and grandfather of our saint. His father, a heathen, 1 brought him up in the errors and superstitions of paganism, but at the same time did not neglect to cultivate his mind by several branches of human literature. St. Justin accordingly informs us, 2 that he spent his youth in reading the poets, orators, and historians. Having gone through the usual course of these studies, he gave himself up to that of philosophy in quest of truth, an ardent love of which was his predominant passion. He addressed himself first to a master who was a Stoic; and after having staid some time with him, seeing he could learn nothing of him concerning God, he left him, and went to a Peripatetic, a very subtle man in his own conceit; but Justin, being desired the second day after admission, to fix his master’s salary, that he might know what he was to be allowed for his pains in teaching him, he left him also, concluding that he was no philosopher. He then tried a Pythagorean, who had a great reputation, and who boasted much of his wisdom; but he required of his scholar, as a necessary preliminary to his admission, that he should have learned music, astronomy, and geometry. Justin could not bear such delays in the search of God, and preferred the school of an Academic, under whom he made great progress in the Platonic philosophy, and vainly flattered himself with the hope of arriving in a short time at the sight of God, which the Platonic philosophy seemed to have had chiefly in view. Walking one day by the sea-side, for the advantage of a greater freedom from noise and tumult, he saw, as he turned about, an old man who followed him pretty close. His appearance was majestic, and had a great mixture in it of mildness and gravity. Justin looking on him very attentively, the man asked him if he knew him. Justin answered in the negative. “Why then,” said he, “do you look so steadfastly upon me?” Justin replied: “It is the effect of my surprise to meet any human creature in this remote and solitary place.” “What brought me hither,” said that old man, “was my concern for some of my friends. They are gone a journey, and I am come hither to look out for them.” 3 They then fell into a long discourse concerning the excellency of philosophy in general, and of the Platonic in particular, which Justin asserted to be the only true way to happiness, and of knowing and seeing God. This the grave person refuted at large, and at length by the force of his arguments convinced him that those philosophers, whom he had the greatest esteem for, Plato and Pythagoras, had been mistaken in their principles, and had not a thorough knowledge of God and of the soul of man, nor could they in consequence communicate it to others. This drew from him the important query, Who were the likeliest persons to set him in the right way? The stranger answered, that long before the existence of these reputed philosophers, there were certain blessed men, lovers of God, and divinely inspired, called prophets, on account of their foretelling things which have since come to pass; whose books, yet extant, contain many solid instructions about the first cause and end of all things, and many other particulars becoming a philosopher to know. That their miracles and their predictions had procured them such credit, that they established truth by authority, and not by disputes and elaborate demonstrations of human reason, of which few men are capable. That they inculcated the belief of one only God, the Father and author of all things, and of his Son Jesus Christ, whom he had sent into the world. He concluded his discourse with this advice: “As for thyself, above all things, pray that the gates of life may be opened unto thee; for these are not things to be discerned, unless God and Christ grant to a man the knowledge of them.” After these words he departed, and Justin saw him no more; but his conversation left a deep impression on the young philosopher’s soul, and kindled there an ardent affection for these true philosophers, the prophets. And upon a further inquiry into the credibility of the Christian religion, he embraced it soon after. What had also no small weight in persuading him of the truth of the Christian faith, was the innocence and true virtue of its professors; seeing with what courage and constancy, rather than to betray their religion, or commit the least sin, they suffered the sharpest tortures, and encountered, nay even courted death itself, in its most horrible shapes. “When I heard the Christians traduced and reproached,” says he, “yet saw them fearless and rushing on death and all things that are accounted most dreadful to human nature, I concluded with myself that it was impossible those men should wallow in vice, and be carried away with the love of lust and pleasure.” 4 Justin, by the course of his studies, must have been grown up when he was converted to the faith. Tillemont and Marand understand, by an obscure passage in St. Epiphanius, 5 that he was in the thirtieth year of his age. 6
St. Justin, after he became a Christian, continued to wear the pallium or cloak, as Eusebius and St. Jerom inform us, which was the singular badge of a philosopher. Aristides, the Athenian philosopher and a Christian, did the same; so did Heracles, even when he was bishop of Alexandria. St. Epiphanius calls St. Justin a great ascetic, or one who professed a most austere and holy life. He came to Rome soon after his conversion, probably from Egypt. Tillemont and Dom. Marand think that he was a priest, from his description of baptism, and the account he gave at his trial of people resorting to his house for instruction. This however is uncertain; and Ceillier concludes, from the silence of the ancients on this head, that he was always a layman; but he seems to have preached, and therefore to have been at least deacon. His discourse, or Oration to the Greeks, 7 he wrote soon after his conversion, in order to convince the heathens of the reasonableness of his having deserted paganism. He urges the absurdity of idolatry, and the inconsistency of ascribing lewdness and other crimes to their deities: on the other hand, he declares his admiration of, and reverence for, the purity and sanctity of the Christian doctrine, and the awful majesty of the divine writings, which still the passions, and fix in a happy tranquillity the mind of man, which finds itself everywhere else restless. His second work is called his Parænesis or Exhortation to the Greeks, which he drew up at Rome: in this he employs the flowers of eloquence, which even in his apologies he despises. In it he shows the errors of idolatry, and the vanity of the heathen philosophers: reproaches Plato with making an harangue to the Athenians, in which he pretended to establish a multitude of gods, only to escape the fate of Socrates; whilst it is clear from his writings that he believed one only God. He transcribes the words of Orpheus the Sibyl, Homer, Sophocles, Pythagoras, Plato, Mercury, and Acmon, or rather Ammon, in which they profess the unity of the Deity. He wrote his book on Monarchy, 8 expressly to prove the unity of God, from the testimonies and reasons of the heathen philosophers themselves. The epistle to Diognetus is an incomparable work of primitive antiquity, attributed to St. Justin by all the ancient copies, and doubtless genuine, as Dr. Cave, Ceillier, Marand, &c. show; though the style is more elegant and florid than the other works of this father. Indeed it is not mentioned by Eusebius and St. Jerom; but neither do they mention the works of Athenagoras. And what wonder that, the art of printing not being as yet discovered, some writings should have escaped their notice? Tillemont fancies the author of this piece to be more ancient, because he calls himself a disciple of the apostles: but St. Justin might assume that title, who lived contemporary with St. Polycarp and others, who had seen some of them. This Diognetus was a learned philosopher, a person of great rank, and preceptor to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who always consulted and exceedingly honoured him. Dom. Nourry 9 mistakes grossly, when he calls him a Jew: for in this very epistle is he styled an adorer of gods. This great man was desirous to know upon what assurances the Christians despised the world, and even torments and death, and showed to one another a mutual love, which appeared wonderful to the rest of mankind, for it rendered them seemingly insensible to the greatest injuries. St. Justin, to satisfy him, demonstrates the folly of idolatry, and the imperfection of the Jewish worship: and sets forth the sanctity practised by the Christians, especially their humility, meekness, love of those who hate them without so much as knowing any reason of their hatred, &c. He adds, that their numbers and virtue are increased by tortures and massacres, and explains clearly the divinity of Christ, 10 the maker of all things, and Son of God. He shows that by reason alone we could never attain to the true knowledge of God, who sent his Son to teach us his holy mysteries: and, when we deserved only chastisement, to pay the full price of our redemption—the Holy One to suffer for sinners—the person offended for the offenders: and when no other means could satisfy for our crimes, we were covered under the wings of justice itself, and rescued from slavery. He extols exceedingly the immense goodness and love of God for man, in creating him, and the world for his use; in subjecting to him other things, and in sending his only begotten Son with the promise of his kingdom, to those who shall have loved him. “But after you shall have known him,” says he, “with what inexpressible joy do you think you will be filled! How ardently will you love him who first loved you! And when you shall love him, you will be an imitator of his goodness. He who bears the burdens of others, assists all, humbles himself to all, even to his inferiors, and supplies the wants of the poor with what he has received from God, is truly the imitator of God. Then will you see on earth that God governs the world; you will know his mysteries, and will love and admire those who suffer for him: you will condemn the imposture of the world, and despise death, only fearing eternal death, in never-ending fire. When you know that fire, you will call those blessed who here suffer flames for justice. I speak not of things to which I am a stranger, but having been a disciple of the apostles, I am a teacher of nations,” &c.
St. Justin made a long stay in Rome, dwelling near the Timothin baths, on the Viminal hill. The Christians met in his house to perform their devotions, and he applied himself with great zeal to the instruction of all those who resorted to him. Evelpistus, who suffered with him, owned at his examination that he had heard with pleasure Justin’s discourses. The judge was acquainted with his zeal, when he asked him, in what place he assembled his disciples? Not content with labouring in the conversion of Jews and Gentiles, he exerted his endeavours in defending the Catholic faith against all the heresies of that age. His excellent volumes against Marcion, as they are styled by St. Jerom, are now lost, with several other works commended by the ancients. The martyr, after his first apology, left Rome, and probably performed the functions of an evangelist in many countries for several years. In the reign of Antoninus Pius, being at Ephesus, and casually meeting in the walks of Xistus Tryphon, whom Eusebius calls the most celebrated Jew of that age, and who was a famous philosopher, he fell into discourse with him, which brought on a disputation, which was held in the presence of several witnesses during two entire days. St. Justin afterwards committed to writing this dialogue with Tryphon, which work is a simple narrative of a familiar unstudied conversation. Tryphon seeing Justin in the philosopher’s cloak, addressed him on the excellency of philosophy. The saint answered, that he admired he should not rather study Moses and the prophets, in comparison of whom all the writings of the philosophers are empty jargon and foolish dreams. Then, in the first part of his dialogue, he showed that, according to the prophets, the old law was temporary, and to be abolished by the new: and in the second, that Christ was God before all ages, distinct from the Father—the same that appeared to Abraham, Moses, &c. the same that created man, and was himself made man, and crucified. He insists much on that passage, Behold a virgin shall conceive. 11 From the beginning of the conversation, Tryphon had allowed that from the prophets it was clear that Christ must be then come; but he said, that he had not yet manifested himself to the world. So evident was it that the time of his coming must be then elapsed, that no Jew durst deny it, as Fleury observes. 12 From the Apocalypse and Isaiah, by a mistaken interpretation, Justin inferred the futurity of the Millennium, or of Christ’s reign upon earth for a thousand years, before the day of judgment, with his elect, in spiritual, chaste delights: but adds, that this was not admitted by many true orthodox believers. 13 This point was afterwards cleared up, and that mistake of some few corrected and exploded by consulting the tradition of the whole church. In the third part, St. Justin proves the vocation of the Gentiles, and the establishment of the church. Night putting an end to the conversation, Tryphon thanked Justin, and prayed for his happy voyage: for he was going to sea. By some mistakes made by St. Justin in the etymologies or derivation of certain Hebrew names, it appears that he was a stranger to that language. The Socinians dread the authority of this work, on account of the clear proofs which it furnishes of the divinity of Christ. St. Justin testifies 14 that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, of curing the sick, and casting out devils in the name of Christ, were then frequent in the church. He excludes from salvation wilful heretics no less than infidels.
But the Apologies of this martyr have chiefly rendered his name illustrious. The first or greater (which by the first editors was, through mistake, placed and called the second) he addressed to the Emperor Antoninus Pius, his two adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Commodus, and the senate, about the year 150. That mild emperor had published no edicts against the Christians: but, by virtue of former edicts, they were often persecuted by the governors, and were everywhere traduced as a wicked and barbarous set of people, enemies to their very species. They were deemed atheists; they were accused of practising secret lewdness, which slander seems to have been founded on the secrecy of their mysteries, and partly on the filthy abominations of the Gnostic and Carpocratian heretics: they were said in their sacred assemblies to feed on the flesh of a murdered child; to which calumny a false notion of the blessed eucharist might give birth. Celsus and other heathens add, 15 that they adored the cross, and the head of an ass. The story of the ass’s head was a groundless calumny, forged by a Jew, who pretended to have seen their mysteries, which was readily believed and propagated by those whose interest it was to decry the Christian religion, as Eusebius, 16 St. Justin, Origen, and Tertullian relate. The respect shown to the sign of the cross, mentioned by Tertullian and all the ancient fathers, seem grounds enough for the other slander. These calumnies were advanced with such confidence, and, through passion and prejudice, received so eagerly, that they served for a pretence to justify the cruelty of the persecutors, and to render the very name of a Christian odious. These circumstances stirred up the zeal of St. Justin to present his Apology for the Faith in writing, begging that the same might be made public. In it he boldly declares himself a Christian, and an advocate for his religion: he shows that Christians ought not to be condemned barely for the name of Christian, unless convicted of some crime; that they are not atheists, though they adore not idols: for they adore God the Father, his Son, and the Holy Ghost, 17 and the host of good angels. 18 He exhorts the emperor to hold the balance even in the execution of justice; and sets forth the sanctity of the doctrine and manners of Christians, who fly all oaths, abhor the least impurity, despise riches, are patient and meek, love even enemies, readily pay all taxes, and scrupulously and respectfully obey and honour princes, &c. Far from eating children, they even condemned those who exposed them. 19 He proves their regard for purity from the numbers among them of both sexes who had observed strict chastity to an advanced age. He explains the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the flesh, and shows from the ancient prophets that God was to become man, and that they had foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, the vocation of the Gentiles, &c. He mentions a statue erected in Rome to Simon Magus, which is also testified by Tertullian, St. Austin, Theodoret, &c. 20 The necessity of vindicating our faith from slanders, obliged him, contrary to the custom of the primitive church, to describe the sacraments of baptism and the blessed eucharist, mentioning the latter also as a sacrifice. “No one,” says he, 21 “is allowed to partake of this food but he that believes our doctrines to be true, and who has been baptized in the laver of regeneration for remission of sins, and lives up to what Christ has taught. For we take not these as common bread and common drink; but like as Jesus Christ our Saviour, being incarnate by the word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation; so are we taught that this food, by which our flesh and blood are nourished, over which thanks have been given by the prayers in his own words, is the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus.” He describes the manner of sanctifying the Sunday, by meeting to celebrate the divine mysteries, read the prophets, hear the exhortation of him that presides, and make a collection of alms to be distributed among the orphans, widows, sick, prisoners, and strangers. He adds the obscure edict of the Emperor Adrian in favour of the Christians. It appears that this Apology had its desired effect—the quiet of the church. Eusebius informs us, 22 that the same emperor sent into Asia a rescript to the following purport: “When many governors of provinces had wrote to my father, he forbade them (the Christians) to be molested, unless they had offended against the state. The same answer I gave when consulted before on the same subject. If any one accuse a person of being a Christian, it is my pleasure that he be acquitted, and the accuser chastised according to the rigour of the law.” Orosius and Zonaras tell us, that Antoninus was prevailed upon by the Apology of Justin to send this order.
He composed his second Apology near twenty years after, in 167, on account of the martyrdom of one Ptolemy, and two other Christians, whom Urbicus, the governor of Rome, had put to death. The saint offered it to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (his colleague Lucius Verus being absent in the East) and to the senate. He undertakes in it to prove that the Christians were unjustly punished with death, and shows how much their lives and doctrines surpassed the philosophers, and that they could never embrace death with so much cheerfulness and joy, had they been guilty of the crimes laid to their charge. Even Socrates, notwithstanding the multitude of disciples that followed him, never found one that died in defence of his doctrine. The apologist added boldly, that he expected death would be the recompense of his Apology, and that he should fall a victim to the snares and rage of some or other of the implacable enemies of the religion for which he pleaded; among whom he named Crescens, a philosopher in name, but an ignorant man, and a slave to pride and ostentation. His martyrdom as he had conjectured, was the recompense of this Apology: it happened soon after he presented this discourse, and probably was procured by the malice of those of whom he spoke. The genuine acts seem to have been taken from the prætor’s public register. The relation is as follows:
Justin and others that were with him were apprehended, and brought before Rusticus, prefect of Rome, who said to Justin, “Obey the gods, and comply with the edicts of the emperors.” Justin answered, “No one can be justly blamed or condemned for obeying the commands of our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Rusticus.—“What kind of literature and discipline do you profess?” Justin.—“I have tried every kind of discipline and learning; but I have finally embraced the Christian discipline, how little soever esteemed by those who were led away by error and false opinions.” Rusticus.—“Wretch, art thou then taken with that discipline?” Justin.—“Doubtless I am, because it affords me the comfort of being in the right path.” Rusticus.—“What are the tenets of the Christian religion?” Justin.—“We Christians believe one God, Creator of all things visible and invisible; and we confess our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, foretold by the prophets, the Author and Preacher of salvation, and the Judge of mankind.” The prefect inquired in what place the Christians assembled. Justin replied, “Where they please, and where they can: God is not confined to a place: as he is invisible, and fills both heaven and earth, he is everywhere adored and glorified by the faithful.” Rusticus.—“Tell me where you assemble your disciples?” Justin.—“I have lived till this time near the house of one called Martin, at the Timothin baths. I am come a second time to Rome, and am acquainted with no other place in the city. If any one came to me, I communicated to him the doctrine of truth.” Rusticus.—“You are then a Christian.” Justin.—“Yes, I am.” The judge then put the same question to each of the rest, viz. Chariton, a man; Charitana, a woman; Evelpistus, a servant of Cæsar, by birth a Cappadocian; Hierax, a Phrygian; Peon, and Liberianus, who all answered, “that, by the divine mercy, they were Christians.” Evelpistus said, he had learned the faith from his parents, but had with great pleasure heard Justin’s discourses. Then the prefect addressed himself again to Justin in this manner: “Hear you, who are noted for your eloquence, and think you make profession of the right philosophy, if I cause you to be scourged from head to foot, do you think you shall go to heaven?” Justin replied, “If I suffer what you mention, I hope to receive the reward which those have already received, who have observed the precepts of Jesus Christ.” Rusticus said, “You imagine then that you shall go to heaven, and be there rewarded.” The martyr answered, “I do not only imagine it, but I know it; and am so well assured of it, that I have no reason to make the least doubt of it.” The prefect seeing it was to no purpose to argue, bade them go together and unanimously sacrifice to the gods, and told them that in case of refusal they should be tormented without mercy. Justin replied, “There is nothing which we more earnestly desire than to endure torments for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; for this is what will promote our happiness, and give us confidence at his bar, where all men must appear and be judged.” To this the rest assented, adding, “Do quickly what you are about. We are Christians, and will never sacrifice to idols.” The prefect thereupon ordered them to be scourged and then beheaded, as the laws directed. The martyrs were forthwith led to the place where criminals were executed, and there, amidst the praises and thanksgivings which they did not cease to pour forth to God, were first scourged, and afterwards beheaded. After their martyrdom, certain Christians carried off their bodies privately, and gave them an honourable burial. St. Justin is one of the most ancient fathers of the church who has left us works of any considerable note. 23 Tatian, his disciple, writes, that, of all men, he was the most worthy of admiration. 24 Eusebius, St. Jerom, St. Epiphanius, Theodoret, &c. bestow on him the highest praises. He suffered about the year 167, in the reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. The Greeks honour him on the 1st of June; in Usuard and in the Roman Martyrology his name occurs on the 13th of April.
St. Justin extols the power of divine grace in the virtue of Christians, among whom many who were then sixty years old, had served God from their infancy in a state of spotless virginity, having never offended against that virtue, not only in action, but not even in thought: for our very thoughts are known to God. 25 They could not be defiled with any inordinate love of riches, who threw their own private revenues into the common stock, sharing it with the poor. 26 So great was their abhorrence of the least wilful untruth, that they were always ready rather to die than to save their lives by a lie. 27 Their fidelity to God was inviolable, and their constancy in confessing his holy name, and in observing his law invincible. “No one,” says the saint, 28 “can affright from their duty those who believe in Jesus. In all parts of the earth we cease not to confess him, though we lose our heads, be crucified, or exposed to wild beasts. We suffer dungeons, fire, and all manner of torments: the more we are persecuted, the more faithful and the more pious we become, through the name of Jesus. Some adore the sun: but no one yet saw any one lay down his life for that worship; whereas we see men of all nations suffer all things for Jesus Christ.” He often mentions the devotion and fervour of Christians in glorifying God by their continual homages, and says, that the light of the gospel being then spread every where, there was no nation, either of Greeks or barbarians, in which prayers and thanksgivings were not offered to the Creator in the name of the crucified Jesus. 29
Note 1. St. Epiphanius (Hær. 46,) calls St. Justin a Samaritan; but means such a one by birth, not by principle; our saint declaring himself a Gentile, and uncircumcised. (Dial. n. 28, Apol. 1. n. 53.) [back]
Note 2. Dial. in initio. [back]
Note 3. Some take this old man to have been a zealous holy Christian. Halloix thinks it was an angel; for the blessed spirits are concerned for men’s salvation: and Tillemont and Dom. Murand look on this conjecture as probable on several accounts. [back]
Note 4. Apol. 2, ol. 1, n. 12, p. 96. [back]
Note 5. Hær. 46. [back]
Note 6. Eusebius (b. 4, c. 8,) says, his conversion happened after Adrian had celebrated the Apotheosis of his minion Antinous, whom death surprised in Egypt, to whose honour that emperor built a city called Antinoe, where he died, erected a temple, appointed priests and established games; all which was done in 132, and St. Justin died in the vigour of his age. Hence Dom Marand places his conversion about the year 137. Dr. Cave thinks it happened at Naplosa: Marand at Alexandria, because he was near the sea, and Justin himself mentions that he had been at Alexandria, (Parænef. ad Græc.) for he had travelled for his improvement in the sciences, and particularly into Egypt, famous for teaching the mysteries of secret learning. [back]
Note 7. Op. p. 1. [back]
Note 8. Ed. Ben. p. 36. [back]
Note 9. Appar. in Bibl. Patr. t. 1, p. 445. [back]
Note 10. N. 7. p. 237. [back]
Note 11. Isaiah viii. [back]
Note 12. Hist. t. 1, p. 463. [back]
Note 13. N. 80, p. 177. [back]
Note 14. N. 85, p. 182, n. 35, p. 133. [back]
Note 15. Apud Origen, l. 6, c. 133. [back]
Note 16. Hist. l. 4, c. 16, and in Isa. [back]
Note 17. Apol. 1. ol. 2, n. 6, p. 47. [back]
Note 18. Dom Marand demonstrates against Dr. Bull, that these words of good angels, &c., cannot be placed within a parenthesis, and that they mean an inferior veneration of angels, entirely of a different order from the supreme worship of God, though named with it in the same period, as we read, (Apoc. i. 4, 5,) Grace and peace from him that is ……… and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ. [back]
Note 19. As the heathens practised when poor; and the Chinese, &c., do at this day. [back]
Note 20. See Tillemont, t. 2, p. 521, and Marand, Not. hic. [back]
Note 21. N. 66, p. 88. See the notes of the Ben. Ed. [back]
Note 22. Hist. b. 4, c. 13. [back]
Note 23. Photius informs us (Cod. 125,) that St. Justin composed a book against Aristotle, in which, with close reasoning and solid arguments, he examined the two first books of his Physics, or his principles of form, matter, &c. It is evident that the Treatise against the Doctrine of Aristotle, in which also the fourth, fifth, and eighth books of his Physics, and several other parts of that philosopher’s writings are censured, is the work of some other; and has only been ascribed to St. Justin in lieu of the former, which is lost. The answer to the Orthodox upon one hundred and forty-six questions, is a work of the fourth or fifth age, which does honour to its author, whom some take to have been Theodoret, before the rise of the Nestorian heresy. The Sabellians and Arians are closely confuted in it. The Exposition of the true Faith is an excellent confutation of the Arians, Nestorians, and Eutychians; perhaps the work of Justin, a bishop in Sicily, whose letter to Peter the Dyer is extant, (t. 4, Conc. p. 1103.) The letter to Zenas and Serenus is of small importance, contains some moral, ascetic instructions, and seems to have been written by some abbot; some think by Justin, abbot of the monastery of St. Anastasius, the Persian and martyr, near Jerusalem, in the reign of Heraclius. See D. Marand, Ceillier, &c. The best edition of St. Justin’s works is that of D. Marand, of the congregation of St. Maur, printed in folio at Paris, 1742, and at Venice, 1747. [back]
Note 24. Apud Eus. l. 4, c. 16. [back]
Note 25. Apol. 1. ol. 2, p. 62. [back]
Note 26. Ib. p. 61. [back]
Note 27. Ib. p. 57, and Dial. cum Tryph. [back]
Note 28. Ib. [back]
Note 29. Dial. p. 345. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume VI: June. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/6/011.html
Icon of Justin Martyr. Russia, XIX century. Church of
the Resurrection Slovusheye by Uspensky Vrazhek (Moscow, Russia).
Св. Иустин Философ. Икона. Россия. XIX в. Храм
Воскресения словущего на Успенском вражке (Москва).
Saint JUSTIN. The First Apology
Chapter 1. Address
To the Emperor Titus Ælius Adrianus Antoninus Pius Augustus Cæsar, and to his son Verissimus the Philosopher, and to Lucius the Philosopher, the natural son of Cæsar, and the adopted son of Pius, a lover of learning, and to the sacred Senate, with the whole People of the Romans, I, Justin, the son of Priscus and grandson of Bacchius, natives of Flavia Neapolis in Palestine, present this address and petition in behalf of those of all nations who are unjustly hated and wantonly abused, myself being one of them.
Chapter 2. Justice demanded
Reason directs those who are truly pious and philosophical to honour and love only what is true, declining to follow traditional opinions, if these be worthless. For not only does sound reason direct us to refuse the guidance of those who did or taught anything wrong, but it is incumbent on the lover of truth, by all means, and if death be threatened, even before his own life, to choose to do and say what is right. Do you, then, since you are called pious and philosophers, guardians of justice and lovers of learning, give good heed, and hearken to my address; and if you are indeed such, it will be manifested. For we have come, not to flatter you by this writing, nor please you by our address, but to beg that you pass judgment, after an accurate and searching investigation, not flattered by prejudice or by a desire of pleasing superstitious men, nor induced by irrational impulse or evil rumours which have long been prevalent, to give a decision which will prove to be against yourselves. 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, you can kill, but not hurt us.
Chapter 3. Claim of judicial investigation
But lest any one think that this is an unreasonable and reckless utterance, we demand that the charges against the Christians be investigated, and that, if these be substantiated, they be punished as they deserve; [or rather, indeed, we ourselves will punish them.] But if no one can convict us of anything, true reason forbids you, for the sake of a wicked rumour, to wrong blameless men, and indeed rather yourselves, who think fit to direct affairs, not by judgment, but by passion. And every sober-minded person will declare this to be the only fair and equitable adjustment, namely, that the subjects render an unexceptional account of their own life and doctrine; and that, on the other hand, the rulers should give their decision in obedience, not to violence and tyranny, but to piety and philosophy. For thus would both rulers and ruled reap benefit. For even one of the ancients somewhere said, Unless both rulers and ruled philosophize, it is impossible to make states blessed. It is our task, therefore, to afford to all an opportunity of inspecting our life and teachings, lest, on account of those who are accustomed to be ignorant of our affairs, we should incur the penalty due to them for mental blindness; and it is your business, when you hear us, to be found, as reason demands, good judges. For if, when you have learned the truth, you do not what is just, you will be before God without excuse.
Chapter 4. Christians unjustly condemned for their mere name
By the mere application of a name, nothing is decided, either good or evil, apart from the actions implied in the name; and indeed, so far at least as one may judge from the name we are accused of, we are most excellent people. But as we do not think it just to beg to be acquitted on account of the name, if we be convicted as evil-doers, so, on the other hand, if we be found to have committed no offense, either in the matter of thus naming ourselves, or of our conduct as citizens, it is your part very earnestly to guard against incurring just punishment, by unjustly punishing those who are not convicted. For from a name neither praise nor punishment could reasonably spring, unless something excellent or base in action be proved. And those among yourselves who are accused you do not punish before they are convicted; but in our case you receive the name as proof against us, and this although, so far as the name goes, you ought rather to punish our accusers. For we are accused of being Christians, and to hate what is excellent (Chrestian) is unjust. Again, if any of the accused deny the name, and say that he is not a Christian, you acquit him, as having no evidence against him as a wrong-doer; but if any one acknowledge that he is a Christian, you punish him on account of this acknowledgment. Justice requires that you inquire into the life both of him who confesses and of him who denies, that by his deeds it may be apparent what kind of man each is. For as some who have been taught by the Master, Christ, not to deny Him, give encouragement to others when they are put to the question, so in all probability do those who lead wicked lives give occasion to those who, without consideration, take upon them to accuse all the Christians of impiety and wickedness. And this also is not right. For of philosophy, too, some assume the name and the garb who do nothing worthy of their profession; and you are well aware, that those of the ancients whose opinions and teachings were quite diverse, are yet all called by the one name of philosophers. And of these some taught atheism; and the poets who have flourished among you raise a laugh out of the uncleanness of Jupiter with his own children. And those who now adopt such instruction are not restrained by you; but, on the contrary, you bestow prizes and honours upon those who euphoniously insult the gods.
Chapter 5. Christians charged with atheism
Why, then, should this be? In our case, who pledge ourselves to do no wickedness, nor to hold these atheistic opinions, you do not examine the charges made against us; but, yielding to unreasoning passion, and to the instigation of evil demons, you punish us without consideration or judgment. For the truth shall be spoken; since of old these evil demons, effecting apparitions of themselves, both defiled women and corrupted boys, and showed such fearful sights to men, that those who did not use their reason in judging of the actions that were done, were struck with terror; and being carried away by fear, and not knowing that these were demons, they called them gods, and gave to each the name which each of the demons chose for himself. And when Socrates endeavoured, by true reason and examination, to bring these things to light, and deliver men from the demons, then the demons themselves, by means of men who rejoiced in iniquity, compassed his death, as an atheist and a profane person, on the charge that he was introducing new divinities; and in our case they display a similar activity. For not only among the Greeks did reason (Logos) prevail to condemn these things through Socrates, but also among the Barbarians were they condemned by Reason (or the Word, the Logos) Himself, who took shape, and became man, and was called Jesus Christ; and in obedience to Him, we not only deny that they who did such things as these are gods, but assert that they are wicked and impious demons, whose actions will not bear comparison with those even of men desirous of virtue.
Chapter 6. Charge of atheism refuted
Hence are we called atheists. And we confess that we are atheists, so far as gods of this sort are concerned, but not with respect to the most true God, the Father of righteousness and temperance and the other virtues, who is free from all impurity. But both Him, and the Son (who came forth from Him and taught us these things, and the host of the other good angels who follow and are made like to Him), and the prophetic Spirit, we worship and adore, knowing them in reason and truth, and declaring without grudging to every one who wishes to learn, as we have been taught.
Chapter 7. Each Christian must be tried by his own life
But some one will say, Some have ere now been arrested and convicted as evil-doers. For you condemn many, many a time, after inquiring into the life of each of the accused severally, but not on account of those of whom we have been speaking. And this we acknowledge, that as among the Greeks those who teach such theories as please themselves are all called by the one name Philosopher, though their doctrines be diverse, so also among the Barbarians this name on which accusations are accumulated is the common property of those who are and those who seem wise. For all are called Christians. Wherefore we demand that the deeds of all those who are accused to you be judged, in order that each one who is convicted may be punished as an evil-doer, and not as a Christian; and if it is clear that any one is blameless, that he may be acquitted, since by the mere fact of his being a Christian he does no wrong. For we will not require that you punish our accusers; they being sufficiently punished by their present wickedness and ignorance of what is right.
Chapter 8. Christians confess their faith in God
And reckon that it is for your sakes we have been saying these things; for it is in our power, when we are examined, to deny that we are Christians; but we would not live by telling a lie. For, impelled by the desire of the eternal and pure life, we seek the abode that is with God, the Father and Creator of all, and hasten to confess our faith, persuaded and convinced as we are that they who have proved to God by their works that they followed Him, and loved to abide with Him where there is no sin to cause disturbance, can obtain these things. This, then, to speak shortly, is what we expect and have learned from Christ, and teach. And Plato, in like manner, used to say that Rhadamanthus and Minos would punish the wicked who came before them; and we say that the same thing will be done, but at the hand of Christ, and upon the wicked in the same bodies united again to their spirits which are now to undergo everlasting punishment; and not only, as Plato said, for a period of a thousand years. And if any one say that this is incredible or impossible, this error of ours is one which concerns ourselves only, and no other person, so long as you cannot convict us of doing any harm.
Chapter 9. Folly of idol worship
And neither do we honour with many sacrifices and garlands of flowers such deities as men have formed and set in shrines and called gods; since we see that these are soulless and dead, and have not the form of God (for we do not consider that God has such a form as some say that they imitate to His honour), but have the names and forms of those wicked demons which have appeared. For why need we tell you who already know, into what forms the craftsmen, Isaiah 44:9-20; Jeremiah 10:3. carving and cutting, casting and hammering, fashion the materials? And often out of vessels of dishonour, by merely changing the form, and making an image of the requisite shape, they make what they call a god; which we consider not only senseless, but to be even insulting to God, who, having ineffable glory and form, thus gets His name attached to things that are corruptible, and require constant service. And that the artificers of these are both intemperate, and, not to enter into particulars, are practised in every vice, you very well know; even their own girls who work along with them they corrupt. What infatuation! That dissolute men should be said to fashion and make gods for your worship, and that you should appoint such men the guardians of the temples where they are enshrined; not recognising that it is unlawful even to think or say that men are the guardians of gods.
Chapter 10. How God is to be served
But we have received by tradition that God does not need the material offerings which men can give, seeing, indeed, that He Himself is the provider of all things. And we have been taught, and are convinced, and do believe, that He accepts those only who imitate the excellences which reside in Him, temperance, and justice, and philanthropy, and as many virtues as are peculiar to a God who is called by no proper name. And we have been taught that He in the beginning did of His goodness, for man's sake, create all things out of unformed matter; and if men by their works show themselves worthy of this His design, they are deemed worthy, and so we have received— of reigning in company with Him, being delivered from corruption and suffering. For as in the beginning He created us when we were not, so do we consider that, in like manner, those who choose what is pleasing to Him are, on account of their choice, deemed worthy of incorruption and of fellowship with Him. For the coming into being at first was not in our own power; and in order that we may follow those things which please Him, choosing them by means of the rational faculties He has Himself endowed us with, He both persuades us and leads us to faith. And we think it for the advantage of all men that they are not restrained from learning these things, but are even urged thereto. For the restraint which human laws could not effect, the Word, inasmuch as He is divine, would have effected, had not the wicked demons, taking as their ally the lust of wickedness which is in every man, and which draws variously to all manner of vice, scattered many false and profane accusations, none of which attach to us.
Chapter 11. What kingdom Christians look for
And when you hear that we look for a kingdom, you suppose, without making any inquiry, that we speak of a human kingdom; whereas we speak of that which is with God, as appears also from the confession of their faith made by those who are charged with being Christians, though they know that death is the punishment awarded to him who so confesses. For if we looked for a human kingdom, we should also deny our Christ, that we might not be slain; and we should strive to escape detection, that we might obtain what we expect. But since our thoughts are not fixed on the present, we are not concerned when men cut us off; since also death is a debt which must at all events be paid.
Chapter 12. Christians live as under God's eye
And more than all other men are we your helpers and allies in promoting peace, seeing that we hold this view, that it is alike impossible for the wicked, the covetous, the conspirator, and for the virtuous, to escape the notice of God, and that each man goes to everlasting punishment or salvation according to the value of his actions. For if all men knew this, no one would choose wickedness even for a little, knowing that he goes to the everlasting punishment of fire; but would by all means restrain himself, and adorn himself with virtue, that he might obtain the good gifts of God, and escape the punishments. For those who, on account of the laws and punishments you impose, endeavour to escape detection when they offend (and they offend, too, under the impression that it is quite possible to escape your detection, since you are but men), those persons, if they learned and were convinced that nothing, whether actually done or only intended, can escape the knowledge of God, would by all means live decently on account of the penalties threatened, as even you yourselves will admit. But you seem to fear lest all men become righteous, and you no longer have any to punish. Such would be the concern of public executioners, but not of good princes. But, as we before said, we are persuaded that these things are prompted by evil spirits, who demand sacrifices and service even from those who live unreasonably; but as for you, we presume that you who aim at [a reputation for] piety and philosophy will do nothing unreasonable. But if you also, like the foolish, prefer custom to truth, do what you have power to do. But just so much power have rulers who esteem opinion more than truth, as robbers have in a desert. And that you will not succeed is declared by the Word, than whom, after God who begot Him, we know there is no ruler more kingly and just. For as all shrink from succeeding to the poverty or sufferings or obscurity of their fathers, so whatever the Word forbids us to choose, the sensible man will not choose. That all these things should come to pass, I say, our Teacher foretold, He who is both Son and Apostle of God the Father of all and the Ruler, Jesus Christ; from whom also we have the name of Christians. Whence we become more assured of all the things He taught us, since whatever He beforehand foretold should come to pass, is seen in fact coming to pass; and this is the work of God, to tell of a thing before it happens, and as it was foretold so to show it happening. It were possible to pause here and add no more, reckoning that we demand what is just and true; but because we are well aware that it is not easy suddenly to change a mind possessed by ignorance, we intend to add a few things, for the sake of persuading those who love the truth, knowing that it is not impossible to put ignorance to flight by presenting the truth.
Chapter 13. Christians serve God rationally
What sober-minded man, then, will not acknowledge that we are not atheists, worshipping as we do the Maker of this universe, and declaring, as we have been taught, that He has no need of streams of blood and libations and incense; whom we praise to the utmost of our power by the exercise of prayer and thanksgiving for all things wherewith we are supplied, as we have been taught that the only honour that is worthy of Him is not to consume by fire what He has brought into being for our sustenance, but to use it for ourselves and those who need, and with gratitude to Him to offer thanks by invocations and hymns for our creation, and for all the means of health, and for the various qualities of the different kinds of things, and for the changes of the seasons; and to present before Him petitions for our existing again in incorruption through faith in Him. Our teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who also was born for this purpose, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judæa, in the times of Tiberius Cæsar; and that we reasonably worship Him, having learned that He is the Son of the true God Himself, and holding Him in the second place, and the prophetic Spirit in the third, we will prove. For they proclaim our madness to consist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all; for they do not discern the mystery that is herein, to which, as we make it plain to you, we pray you to give heed.
Chapter 14. The demons misrepresent Christian doctrine
For we forewarn you to be on your guard, lest those demons whom we have been accusing should deceive you, and quite divert you from reading and understanding what we say. For they strive to hold you their slaves and servants; and sometimes by appearances in dreams, and sometimes by magical impositions, they subdue all who make no strong opposing effort for their own salvation. And thus do we also, since our persuasion by the Word, stand aloof from them (i.e., the demons), and follow the only unbegotten God through His Son — we who formerly delighted in fornication, but now embrace chastity alone; we who formerly used magical arts, dedicate ourselves to the good and unbegotten God; we who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock, and communicate to every one in need; we who 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, 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. But lest we should seem to be reasoning sophistically, we consider it right, before giving you the promised explanation, to cite a few precepts given by Christ Himself. And be it yours, as powerful rulers, to inquire whether we have been taught and do teach these things truly. Brief and concise utterances fell from Him, for He was no sophist, but His word was the power of God.
Chapter 15. What Christ himself taught
Concerning chastity, He uttered such sentiments as these: Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart before God. And, If your right eye offend you, cut it out; for it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of heaven with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into everlasting fire. And, Whosoever shall marry her that is divorced from another husband, commits adultery. And, There are some who have been made eunuchs of men, and some who were born eunuchs, and some who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake; but all cannot receive this saying. Matthew 19:12 So that all who, by human law, are twice married, are in the eye of our Master sinners, and those who look upon a woman to lust after her. For not only he who in act commits adultery is rejected by Him, but also he who desires to commit adultery: since not only our works, but also our thoughts, are open before God. And many, both men and women, who have been Christ's disciples from childhood, remain pure at the age of sixty or seventy years; and I boast that I could produce such from every race of men. For what shall I say, too, of the countless multitude of those who have reformed intemperate habits, and learned these things? For Christ called not the just nor the chaste to repentance, but the ungodly, and the licentious, and the unjust; His words being, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13 For the heavenly Father desires rather the repentance than the punishment of the sinner. And of our love to all, He taught thus: If you love them that love you, what new thing are you doing? For even fornicators do this. But I say unto you, Pray for your enemies, and love them that hate you, and bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you. Matthew 5:46, 44; Luke 6:28 And that we should communicate to the needy, and do nothing for glory, He said, Give to him that asks, and from him that would borrow turn not away; for if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what new thing are you doing? Even the publicans do this. Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where robbers break through; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for it? Lay up treasure, therefore, in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt. And, Be kind and merciful, as your Father also is kind and merciful, and makes His sun to rise on sinners, and the righteous, and the wicked. Take no thought what you shall eat, or what you shall put on: are you not better than the birds and the beasts? And God feeds them. Take no thought, therefore, what you shall eat, or what you shall put on; for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things. But seek the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you. For where his treasure is, there also is the mind of a man. And, Do not these things to be seen of men; otherwise you have no reward from your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 6:1
Chapter 16. Concerning patience and swearing
And concerning our being patient of injuries, and ready to serve all, and free from anger, this is what He said: To him that smites you on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that takes away your cloak or coat, forbid not. And whosoever shall be angry, is in danger of the fire. And every one that compels you to go with him a mile, follow him two. And let your good works shine before men, that they, seeing them, may glorify your Father which is in heaven. For we ought not to strive; neither has He desired us to be imitators of wicked men, but He has exhorted us to lead all men, by patience and gentleness, from shame and the love of evil. And this indeed is proved in the case of many who once were of your way of thinking, but have changed their violent and tyrannical disposition, being overcome either by the constancy which they have witnessed in their neighbours' lives, or by the extraordinary forbearance they have observed in their fellow-travellers when defrauded, or by the honesty of those with whom they have transacted business.
And with regard to our not swearing at all, and always speaking the truth, He enjoined as follows: Swear not at all; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil. Matthew 5:34, 27 And that we ought to worship God alone, He thus persuaded us: The greatest commandment is, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve, with all your heart, and with all your strength, the Lord God that made you. Mark 12:30 And when a certain man came to Him and said, Good Master, He answered and said, There is none good but God only, who made all things. Matthew 19:6, 17 And let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood to be no Christians, even though they profess with the lip the precepts of Christ; for not those who make profession, but those who do the works, shall be saved, according to His word: Not every one who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven. For whosoever hears Me, and does My sayings, hears Him that sent Me. And many will say unto Me, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk in Your name, and done wonders? And then will I say unto them, Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity. Then shall there be wailing and gnashing of teeth, when the righteous shall shine as the sun, and the wicked are sent into everlasting fire. For many shall come in My name, clothed outwardly in sheep's clothing, but inwardly being ravening wolves. By their works you shall know them. And every tree that brings not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. And as to those who are not living pursuant to these His teachings, and are Christians only in name, we demand that all such be punished by you.
Chapter 17. Christ taught civil obedience
And everywhere we, more readily than all men, endeavour to pay to those appointed by you the taxes both ordinary and extraordinary, as we have been taught by Him; for at that time some came to Him and asked Him, if one ought to pay tribute to Cæsar; and He answered, Tell Me, whose image does the coin bear? And they said, Cæsar's. And again He answered them, Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's. Whence to God alone we render worship, but in other things we gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that with your kingly power you be found to possess also sound judgment. But if you pay no regard to our prayers and frank explanations, we shall suffer no loss, since we believe (or rather, indeed, are persuaded) that every man will suffer punishment in eternal fire according to the merit of his deed, and will render account according to the power he has received from God, as Christ intimated when He said, To whom God has given more, of him shall more be required. Luke 12:48
Chapter 18. Proof of immortality and the resurrection
For reflect upon the end of each of the preceding kings, how they died the death common to all, which, if it issued in insensibility, would be a godsend to all the wicked. But since sensation remains to all who have ever lived, and eternal punishment is laid up (i.e., for the wicked), see that you neglect not to be convinced, and to hold as your belief, that these things are true. For let even necromancy, and the divinations you practise by immaculate children, and the evoking of departed human souls, and those who are called among the magi, Dream-senders and Assistant-spirits (Familiars), and all that is done by those who are skilled in such matters — let these persuade you that even after death souls are in a state of sensation; and those who are seized and cast about by the spirits of the dead, whom all call dæmoniacs or madmen; and what you repute as oracles, both of Amphilochus, Dodana, Pytho, and as many other such as exist; and the opinions of your authors, Empedocles and Pythagoras, Plato and Socrates, and the pit of Homer, and the descent of Ulysses to inspect these things, and all that has been uttered of a like kind. Such favour as you grant to these, grant also to us, who not less but more firmly than they believe in God; since we expect to receive again our own bodies, though they be dead and cast into the earth, for we maintain that with God nothing is impossible.
Chapter 19. The resurrection possible
And to any thoughtful person would anything appear more incredible, than, if we were not in the body, and some one were to say that it was possible that from a small drop of human seed bones and sinews and flesh be formed into a shape such as we see? For let this now be said hypothetically: if you yourselves were not such as you now are, and born of such parents [and causes], and one were to show you human seed and a picture of a man, and were to say with confidence that from such a substance such a being could be produced, would you believe before you saw the actual production? No one will dare to deny [that such a statement would surpass belief]. In the same way, then, you are now incredulous because you have never seen a dead man rise again. But as at first you would not have believed it possible that such persons could be produced from the small drop, and yet now you see them thus produced, so also judge that it is not impossible that the bodies of men, after they have been dissolved, and like seeds resolved into earth, should in God's appointed time rise again and put on incorruption. For what power worthy of God those imagine who say, that each thing returns to that from which it was produced, and that beyond this not even God Himself can do anything, we are unable to conceive; but this we see clearly, that they would not have believed it possible that they could have become such and produced from such materials, as they now see both themselves and the whole world to be. And that it is better to believe even what is impossible to our own nature and to men, than to be unbelieving like the rest of the world, we have learned; for we know that our Master Jesus Christ said, that what is impossible with men is possible with God, Matthew 19:26 and, Fear not them that kill you, and after that can do no more; but fear Him who after death is able to cast both soul and body into hell. Matthew 10:28 And hell is a place where those are to be punished who have lived wickedly, and who do not believe that those things which God has taught us by Christ will come to pass.
Chapter 20. Heathen analogies to Christian doctrine
And the Sibyl and Hystaspes said that there should be a dissolution by God of things corruptible. And the philosophers called Stoics teach that even God Himself shall be resolved into fire, and they say that the world is to be formed anew by this revolution; but we understand that God, the Creator of all things, is superior to the things that are to be changed. If, therefore, on some points we teach the same things as the poets and philosophers whom you honour, and on other points are fuller and more divine in our teaching, and if we alone afford proof of what we assert, why are we unjustly hated more than all others? For while we say that all things have been produced and arranged into a world by God, we shall seem to utter the doctrine of Plato; and while we say that there will be a burning up of all, we shall seem to utter the doctrine of the Stoics: and while we affirm that the souls of the wicked, being endowed with sensation even after death, are punished, and that those of the good being delivered from punishment spend a blessed existence, we shall seem to say the same things as the poets and philosophers; and while we maintain that men ought not to worship the works of their hands, we say the very things which have been said by the comic poet Menander, and other similar writers, for they have declared that the workman is greater than the work.
Chapter 21. Analogies to the history of Christ
And when we say also that the Word, who is the first-birth of God, was produced without sexual union, and that He, Jesus Christ, our Teacher, was crucified and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, we propound nothing different from what you believe regarding those whom you esteem sons of Jupiter. For you know how many sons your esteemed writers ascribed to Jupiter: Mercury, the interpreting word and teacher of all; Æsculapius, who, though he was a great physician, was struck by a thunderbolt, and so ascended to heaven; and Bacchus too, after he had been torn limb from limb; and Hercules, when he had committed himself to the flames to escape his toils; and the sons of Leda, and Dioscuri; and Perseus, son of Danae; and Bellerophon, who, though sprung from mortals, rose to heaven on the horse Pegasus. For what shall I say of Ariadne, and those who, like her, have been declared to be set among the stars? And what of the emperors who die among yourselves, whom you deem worthy of deification, and in whose behalf you produce some one who swears he has seen the burning Cæsar rise to heaven from the funeral pyre? And what kind of deeds are recorded of each of these reputed sons of Jupiter, it is needless to tell to those who already know. This only shall be said, that they are written for the advantage and encouragement of youthful scholars; for all reckon it an honourable thing to imitate the gods. But far be such a thought concerning the gods from every well-conditioned soul, as to believe that Jupiter himself, the governor and creator of all things, was both a parricide and the son of a parricide, and that being overcome by the love of base and shameful pleasures, he came in to Ganymede and those many women whom he had violated and that his sons did like actions. But, as we said above, wicked devils perpetrated these things. And we have learned that those only are deified who have lived near to God in holiness and virtue; and we believe that those who live wickedly and do not repent are punished in everlasting fire.
Chapter 22. Analogies to the sonship of Christ
Moreover, the Son of God called Jesus, even if only a man by ordinary generation, yet, on account of His wisdom, is worthy to be called the Son of God; for all writers call God the Father of men and gods. And if we assert that the Word of God was born of God in a peculiar manner, different from ordinary generation, let this, as said above, be no extraordinary thing to you, who say that Mercury is the angelic word of God. But if any one objects that He was crucified, in this also He is on a par with those reputed sons of Jupiter of yours, who suffered as we have now enumerated. For their sufferings at death are recorded to have been not all alike, but diverse; so that not even by the peculiarity of His sufferings does He seem to be inferior to them; but, on the contrary, as we promised in the preceding part of this discourse, we will now prove Him superior— or rather have already proved Him to be so— for the superior is revealed by His actions. And if we even affirm that He was born of a virgin, accept this in common with what you accept of Perseus. And in that we say that He made whole the lame, the paralytic, and those born blind, we seem to say what is very similar to the deeds said to have been done by Æsculapius.
Chapter 23. The argument
And that this may now become evident to you— (firstly ) that whatever we assert in conformity with what has been taught us by Christ, and by the prophets who preceded Him, are alone true, and are older than all the writers who have existed; that we claim to be acknowledged, not because we say the same things as these writers said, but because we say true things: and (secondly) that Jesus Christ is the only proper Son who has been begotten by God, being His Word and first-begotten, and power; and, becoming man according to His will, He taught us these things for the conversion and restoration of the human race: and (thirdly) that before He became a man among men, some, influenced by the demons before mentioned, related beforehand, through the instrumentality of the poets, those circumstances as having really happened, which, having fictitiously devised, they narrated, in the same manner as they have caused to be fabricated the scandalous reports against us of infamous and impious actions, of which there is neither witness nor proof— we shall bring forward the following proof.
Chapter 24. Varieties of heathen worship
In the first place [we furnish proof], because, though we say things similar to what the Greeks say, we only are hated on account of the name of Christ, and though we do no wrong, are put to death as sinners; other men in other places worshipping trees and rivers, and mice and cats and crocodiles, and many irrational animals. Nor are the same animals esteemed by all; but in one place one is worshipped, and another in another, so that all are profane in the judgment of one another, on account of their not worshipping the same objects. And this is the sole accusation you bring against us, that we do not reverence the same gods as you do, nor offer to the dead libations and the savour of fat, and crowns for their statues, and sacrifices. For you very well know that the same animals are with some esteemed gods, with others wild beasts, and with others sacrificial victims.
Chapter 25. False Gods abandoned by Christians
And, secondly, because we— who, out of every race of men, used to worship Bacchus the son of Semele, and Apollo the son of Latona (who in their loves with men did such things as it is shameful even to mention), and Proserpine and Venus (who were maddened with love of Adonis, and whose mysteries also you celebrate), or Æsculapius, or some one or other of those who are called gods— have now, through Jesus Christ, learned to despise these, though we be threatened with death for it, and have dedicated ourselves to the unbegotten and impossible God; of whom we are persuaded that never was he goaded by lust of Antiope, or such other women, or of Ganymede, nor was rescued by that hundred-handed giant whose aid was obtained through Thetis, nor was anxious on this account that her son Achilles should destroy many of the Greeks because of his concubine Briseis. Those who believe these things we pity, and those who invented them we know to be devils.
Chapter 26. Magicians not trusted by Christians
And, thirdly, because after Christ's ascension into heaven the devils put forward certain men who said that they themselves were gods; and they were not only not persecuted by you, but even deemed worthy of honours. There was a Samaritan, Simon, a native of the village called Gitto, who in the reign of Claudius Cæsar, and in your royal city of Rome, did mighty acts of magic, by virtue of the art of the devils operating in him. He was considered a god, and as a god was honoured by you with a statue, which statue was erected on the river Tiber, between the two bridges, and bore this inscription, in the language of Rome:— Simoni Deo Sancto, To Simon the holy God. And almost all the Samaritans, and a few even of other nations, worship him, and acknowledge him as the first god; and a woman, Helena, who went about with him at that time, and had formerly been a prostitute, they say is the first idea generated by him. And a man, Menander, also a Samaritan, of the town Capparetæa, a disciple of Simon, and inspired by devils, we know to have deceived many while he was in Antioch by his magical art. He persuaded those who adhered to him that they should never die, and even now there are some living who hold this opinion of his. And there is Marcion, a man of Pontus, who is even at this day alive, and teaching his disciples to believe in some other god greater than the Creator. And he, by the aid of the devils, has caused many of every nation to speak blasphemies, and to deny that God is the maker of this universe, and to assert that some other being, greater than He, has done greater works. All who take their opinions from these men, are, as we before said, called Christians; just as also those who do not agree with the philosophers in their doctrines, have yet in common with them the name of philosophers given to them. And whether they perpetrate those fabulous and shameful deeds — the upsetting of the lamp, and promiscuous intercourse, and eating human flesh— we know not; but we do know that they are neither persecuted nor put to death by you, at least on account of their opinions. But I have a treatise against all the heresies that have existed already composed, which, if you wish to read it, I will give you.
Chapter 27. Guilt of exposing children
But as for us, we have been taught that to expose newly-born children is the part of wicked men; and this we have been taught lest we should do any one an injury, and lest we should sin against God, first, because we see that almost all so exposed (not only the girls, but also the males) are brought up to prostitution. And as the ancients are said to have reared herds of oxen, or goats, or sheep, or grazing horses, so now we see you rear children only for this shameful use; and for this pollution a multitude of females and hermaphrodites, and those who commit unmentionable iniquities, are found in every nation. And you receive the hire of these, and duty and taxes from them, whom you ought to exterminate from your realm. And any one who uses such persons, besides the godless and infamous and impure intercourse, may possibly be having intercourse with his own child, or relative, or brother. And there are some who prostitute even their own children and wives, and some are openly mutilated for the purpose of sodomy; and they refer these mysteries to the mother of the gods, and along with each of those whom you esteem gods there is painted a serpent, a great symbol and mystery. Indeed, the things which you do openly and with applause, as if the divine light were overturned and extinguished, these you lay to our charge; which, in truth, does no harm to us who shrink from doing any such things, but only to those who do them and bear false witness against us.
Chapter 28. God's care for men
For among us the prince of the wicked spirits is called the serpent, and Satan, and the devil, as you can learn by looking into our writings. And that he would be sent into the fire with his host, and the men who follow him, and would be punished for an endless duration, Christ foretold. For the reason why God has delayed to do this, is His regard for the human race. For He foreknows that some are to be saved by repentance, some even that are perhaps not yet born. In the beginning He made the human race with the power of thought and of choosing the truth and doing right, so that all men are without excuse before God; for they have been born rational and contemplative. And if any one disbelieves that God cares for these things, he will thereby either insinuate that God does not exist, or he will assert that though He exists He delights in vice, or exists like a stone, and that neither virtue nor vice are anything, but only in the opinion of men these things are reckoned good or evil. And this is the greatest profanity and wickedness.
Chapter 29. Continence of Christians
And again [we fear to expose children], lest some of them be not picked up, but die, and we become murderers. But whether we marry, it is only that we may bring up children; or whether we decline marriage, we live continently. And that you may understand that promiscuous intercourse is not one of our mysteries, one of our number a short time ago presented to Felix the governor in Alexandria a petition, craving that permission might be given to a surgeon to make him an eunuch. For the surgeons there said that they were forbidden to do this without the permission of the governor. And when Felix absolutely refused to sign such a permission, the youth remained single, and was satisfied with his own approving conscience, and the approval of those who thought as he did. And it is not out of place, we think, to mention here Antinous, who was alive but lately, and whom all were prompt, through fear, to worship as a god, though they knew both who he was and what was his origin.
Chapter 30. Was Christ not a magician?
But lest any one should meet us with the question, What should prevent that He whom we call Christ, being a man born of men, performed what we call His mighty works by magical art, and by this appeared to be the Son of God? We will now offer proof, not trusting mere assertions, but being of necessity persuaded by those who prophesied [of Him] before these things came to pass, for with our own eyes we behold things that have happened and are happening just as they were predicted; and this will, we think appear even to you the strongest and truest evidence.
Chapter 31. Of the Hebrew prophets
There were, then, among the Jews certain men who were prophets of God, through whom the prophetic Spirit published beforehand things that were to come to pass, ere ever they happened. And their prophecies, as they were spoken and when they were uttered, the kings who happened to be reigning among the Jews at the several times carefully preserved in their possession, when they had been arranged in books by the prophets themselves in their own Hebrew language. And when Ptolemy king of Egypt formed a library, and endeavoured to collect the writings of all men, he heard also of these prophets, and sent to Herod, who was at that time king of the Jews, requesting that the books of the prophets be sent to him. And Herod the king did indeed send them, written, as they were, in the foresaid Hebrew language. And when their contents were found to be unintelligible to the Egyptians, he again sent and requested that men be commissioned to translate them into the Greek language. And when this was done, the books remained with the Egyptians, where they are until now. They are also in the possession of all Jews throughout the world; but they, though they read, do not understand what is said, but count us foes and enemies; and, like yourselves, they kill and punish us whenever they have the power, as you can well believe. For in the Jewish war which lately raged, Barchochebas, the leader of the revolt of the Jews, gave orders that Christians alone should be led to cruel punishments, unless they would deny Jesus Christ and utter blasphemy. In these books, then, of the prophets we found Jesus our Christ foretold as coming, born of a virgin, growing up to man's estate, and healing every disease and every sickness, and raising the dead, and being hated, and unrecognised, and crucified, and dying, and rising again, and ascending into heaven, and being, and being called, the Son of God. We find it also predicted that certain persons should be sent by Him into every nation to publish these things, and that rather among the Gentiles [than among the Jews] men should believe in Him. And He was predicted before He appeared, first 5000 years before, and again 3000, then 2000, then 1000, and yet again 800; for in the succession of generations prophets after prophets arose.
Chapter 32. Christ predicted by Moses
Moses then, who was the first of the prophets, spoke in these very words: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until He come for whom it is reserved; and He shall be the desire of the nations, binding His foal to the vine, washing His robe in the blood of the grape. Genesis 49:10 It is yours to make accurate inquiry, and ascertain up to whose time the Jews had a lawgiver and king of their own. Up to the time of Jesus Christ, who taught us, and interpreted the prophecies which were not yet understood, [they had a lawgiver] as was foretold by the holy and divine Spirit of prophecy through Moses, that a ruler would not fail the Jews until He should come for whom the kingdom was reserved (for Judah was the forefather of the Jews, from whom also they have their name of Jews); and after He (i.e., Christ) appeared, you began to rule the Jews, and gained possession of all their territory. And the prophecy, He shall be the expectation of the nations, signified that there would be some of all nations who should look for Him to come again. And this indeed you can see for yourselves, and be convinced of by fact. For of all races of men there are some who look for Him who was crucified in Judæa, and after whose crucifixion the land was straightway surrendered to you as spoil of war. And the prophecy, binding His foal to the vine, and washing His robe in the blood of the grape, was a significant symbol of the things that were to happen to Christ, and of what He was to do. For the foal of an ass stood bound to a vine at the entrance of a village, and He ordered His acquaintances to bring it to Him then; and when it was brought, He mounted and sat upon it, and entered Jerusalem, where was the vast temple of the Jews which was afterwards destroyed by you. And after this He was crucified, that the rest of the prophecy might be fulfilled. For this washing His robe in the blood of the grape was predictive of the passion He was to endure, cleansing by His blood those who believe in Him. For what is called by the Divine Spirit through the prophet His robe, are those men who believe in Him in whom abides the seed of God, the Word. And what is spoken of as the blood of the grape, signifies that He who should appear would have blood, though not of the seed of man, but of the power of God. And the first power after God the Father and Lord of all is the Word, who is also the Son; and of Him we will, in what follows, relate how He took flesh and became man. For as man did not make the blood of the vine, but God, so it was hereby intimated that the blood should not be of human seed, but of divine power, as we have said above. And Isaiah, another prophet, foretelling the same things in other words, spoke thus: A star shall rise out of Jacob, and a flower shall spring from the root of Jesse; and His arm shall the nations trust. Isaiah 11:1 And a star of light has arisen, and a flower has sprung from the root of Jesse— this Christ. For by the power of God He was conceived by a virgin of the seed of Jacob, who was the father of Judah, who, as we have shown, was the father of the Jews; and Jesse was His forefather according to the oracle, and He was the son of Jacob and Judah according to lineal descent.
Chapter 33. Manner of Christ's birth predicted
And hear again how Isaiah in express words foretold that He should be born of a virgin; for he spoke thus: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son, and they shall say for His name, 'God with us.' Isaiah 7:14 For things which were incredible and seemed impossible with men, these God predicted by the Spirit of prophecy as about to come to pass, in order that, when they came to pass, there might be no unbelief, but faith, because of their prediction. But lest some, not understanding the prophecy now cited, should charge us with the very things we have been laying to the charge of the poets who say that Jupiter went in to women through lust, let us try to explain the words. This, then, Behold, a virgin shall conceive, signifies that a virgin should conceive without intercourse. For if she had had intercourse with any one whatever, she was no longer a virgin; but the power of God having come upon the virgin, overshadowed her, and caused her while yet a virgin to conceive. And the angel of God who was sent to the same virgin at that time brought her good news, saying, Behold, you shall conceive of the Holy Ghost, and shall bear a Son, and He shall be called the Son of the Highest, and you shall call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins, Luke 1:32; Matthew 1:21 — as they who have recorded all that concerns our Saviour Jesus Christ have taught, whom we believed, since by Isaiah also, whom we have now adduced, the Spirit of prophecy declared that He should be born as we intimated before. It is wrong, therefore, to understand the Spirit and the power of God as anything else than the Word, who is also the first-born of God, as the foresaid prophet Moses declared; and it was this which, when it came upon the virgin and overshadowed her, caused her to conceive, not by intercourse, but by power. And the name Jesus in the Hebrew language means Σωτήρ (Saviour) in the Greek tongue. Wherefore, too, the angel said to the virgin, You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. And that the prophets are inspired by no other than the Divine Word, even you, as I fancy, will grant.
Chapter 34. Place of Christ's birth foretold
And hear what part of earth He was to be born in, as another prophet, Micah, foretold. He spoke thus: And you, Bethlehem, the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Governor, who shall feed My people. Micah 5:2 Now there is a village in the land of the Jews, thirty-five stadia from Jerusalem, in which Jesus Christ was born, as you can ascertain also from the registers of the taxing made under Cyrenius, your first procurator in Judæa.
Chapter 35. Other fulfilled prophecies
And how Christ after He was born was to escape the notice of other men until He grew to man's estate, which also came to pass, hear what was foretold regarding this. There are the following predictions: — Unto us a child is born, and unto us a young man is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders; Isaiah 9:6 which is significant of the power of the cross, for to it, when He was crucified, He applied His shoulders, as shall be more clearly made out in the ensuing discourse. And again the same prophet Isaiah, being inspired by the prophetic Spirit, said, I have spread out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people, to those who walk in a way that is not good. They now ask of me judgment, and dare to draw near to God. Isaiah 65:2, Isaiah 58:2 And again in other words, through another prophet, He says, They pierced My hands and My feet, and for My vesture they cast lots. And indeed David, the king and prophet, who uttered these things, suffered none of them; but Jesus Christ stretched forth His hands, being crucified by the Jews speaking against Him, and denying that He was the Christ. And as the prophet spoke, they tormented Him, and set Him on the judgment-seat, and said, Judge us. And the expression, They pierced my hands and my feet, was used in reference to the nails of the cross which were fixed in His hands and feet. And after He was crucified they cast lots upon His vesture, and they that crucified Him parted it among them. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. And we will cite the prophetic utterances of another prophet, Zephaniah, to the effect that He was foretold expressly as to sit upon the foal of an ass and to enter Jerusalem. The words are these: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9
Chapter 36. Different modes of prophecy
But when you hear the utterances of the prophets spoken as it were personally, you must not suppose that they are spoken by the inspired themselves, but by the Divine Word who moves them. For sometimes He declares things that are to come to pass, in the manner of one who foretells the future; sometimes He speaks as from the person of God the Lord and Father of all; sometimes as from the person of Christ; sometimes as from the person of the people answering the Lord or His Father, just as you can see even in your own writers, one man being the writer of the whole, but introducing the persons who converse. And this the Jews who possessed the books of the prophets did not understand, and therefore did not recognise Christ even when He came, but even hate us who say that He has come, and who prove that, as was predicted, He was crucified by them.
Chapter 37. Utterances of the Father
And that this too may be clear to you, there were spoken from the person of the Father through Isaiah the prophet, the following words: The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel does not know, and My people has not understood. Woe, sinful nation, a people full of sins, a wicked seed, children that are transgressors, you have forsaken the Lord. And again elsewhere, when the same prophet speaks in like manner from the person of the Father, What is the house that you will build for Me? Says the Lord. The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Isaiah 66:1 And again, in another place, Your new moons and your sabbaths My soul hates; and the great day of the fast and of ceasing from labour I cannot away with; nor, if you come to be seen of Me, will I hear you: your hands are full of blood; and if you bring fine flour, incense, it is abomination unto Me: the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls I do not desire. For who has required this at your hands? But loose every bond of wickedness, tear asunder the tight knots of violent contracts, cover the houseless and naked, deal your bread to the hungry. Isaiah 1:14, Isaiah 58:6 What kind of things are taught through the prophets from [the person of] God, you can now perceive.
Chapter 38. Utterances of the Son
And when the Spirit of prophecy speaks from the person of Christ, the utterances are of this sort: I have spread out My hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people, to those who walk in a way that is not good. Isaiah 65:2 And again: I gave My back to the scourges, and My cheeks to the buffetings; I turned not away My face from the shame of spittings; and the Lord was My helper: therefore was I not confounded: but I set My face as a firm rock; and I knew that I should not be ashamed, for He is near that justifies Me. Isaiah 50:6 And again, when He says, They cast lots upon My vesture, and pierced My hands and My feet. And I lay down and slept, and rose again, because the Lord sustained Me. And again, when He says, They spoke with their lips, they wagged the head, saying, Let Him deliver Himself. And that all these things happened to Christ at the hands of the Jews, you can ascertain. For when He was crucified, they did shoot out the lip, and wagged their heads, saying, Let Him who raised the dead save Himself. Matthew 27:39
Chapter 39. Direct predictions by the Spirit
And when the Spirit of prophecy speaks as predicting things that are to come to pass, He speaks in this way: For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:3 And that it did so come to pass, we can convince you. For from Jerusalem there went out into the world, men, twelve in number, and these illiterate, of no ability in speaking: but by the power of God they proclaimed to every race of men that they were sent by Christ to teach to all the word of God; and we who formerly used to murder one another do not only now refrain from making war upon our enemies, but also, that we may not lie nor deceive our examiners, willingly die confessing Christ. For that saying, The tongue has sworn but the mind is unsworn, might be imitated by us in this matter. But if the soldiers enrolled by you, and who have taken the military oath, prefer their allegiance to their own life, and parents, and country, and all kindred, though you can offer them nothing incorruptible, it were verily ridiculous if we, who earnestly long for incorruption, should not endure all things, in order to obtain what we desire from Him who is able to grant it.
Chapter 40. Christ's advent foretold
And hear how it was foretold concerning those who published His doctrine and proclaimed His appearance, the above-mentioned prophet and king speaking thus by the Spirit of prophecy Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the sun has He set His tabernacle, and he as a bridegroom going out of his chamber shall rejoice as a giant to run his course. And we have thought it right and relevant to mention some other prophetic utterances of David besides these; from which you may learn how the Spirit of prophecy exhorts men to live, and how He foretold the conspiracy which was formed against Christ by Herod the king of the Jews, and the Jews themselves, and Pilate, who was your governor among them, with his soldiers; and how He should be believed on by men of every race; and how God calls Him His Son, and has declared that He will subdue all His enemies under Him; and how the devils, as much as they can, strive to escape the power of God the Father and Lord of all, and the power of Christ Himself; and how God calls all to repentance before the day of judgment comes. These things were uttered thus: Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful: but his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law will he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, which shall give his fruit in his season; and his leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the council of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine new things? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast their yoke from us. He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh at them, and the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall He speak to them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure. Yet have I been set by Him a King on Zion His holy hill, declaring the decree of the Lord. The Lord said to Me, You are My Son; this day have I begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give You the heathen for Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth as Your possession. You shall herd them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall You dash them in pieces. Be wise now, therefore, O you kings; be instructed, all you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Embrace instruction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the right way, when His wrath has been suddenly kindled. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.
Chapter 41. The crucifixion predicted
And again, in another prophecy, the Spirit of prophecy, through the same David, intimated that Christ, after He had been crucified, should reign, and spoke as follows: Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and day by day declare His salvation. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, to be feared above all the gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols of devils; but God made the heavens. Glory and praise are before His face, strength and glorying are in the habitation of His holiness. Give Glory to the Lord, the Father everlasting. Receive grace, and enter His presence, and worship in His holy courts. Let all the earth fear before His face; let it be established, and not shaken. Let them rejoice among the nations. The Lord has reigned from the tree.
Chapter 42. Prophecy using the past tense
But when the Spirit of prophecy speaks of things that are about to come to pass as if they had already taken place, — as may be observed even in the passages already cited by me, — that this circumstance may afford no excuse to readers [for misinterpreting them], we will make even this also quite plain. The things which He absolutely knows will take place, He predicts as if already they had taken place. And that the utterances must be thus received, you will perceive, if you give your attention to them. The words cited above, David uttered 1500 years before Christ became a man and was crucified; and no one of those who lived before Him, nor yet of His contemporaries, afforded joy to the Gentiles by being crucified. But our Jesus Christ, being crucified and dead, rose again, and having ascended to heaven, reigned; and by those things which were published in His name among all nations by the apostles, there is joy afforded to those who expect the immortality promised by Him.
Chapter 43. Responsibility asserted
But lest some suppose, from what has been said by us, that we say that whatever happens, happens by a fatal necessity, because it is foretold as known beforehand, this too we explain. We have learned from the prophets, and we hold it to be true, that punishments, and chastisements, and good rewards, are rendered according to the merit of each man's actions. Since if it be not so, but all things happen by fate, neither is anything at all in our own power. For if it be fated that this man, e.g., be good, and this other evil, neither is the former meritorious nor the latter to be blamed. And again, unless the human race have the power of avoiding evil and choosing good by free choice, they are not accountable for their actions, of whatever kind they be. But that it is by free choice they both walk uprightly and stumble, we thus demonstrate. We see the same man making a transition to opposite things. Now, if it had been fated that he were to be either good or bad, he could never have been capable of both the opposites, nor of so many transitions. But not even would some be good and others bad, since we thus make fate the cause of evil, and exhibit her as acting in opposition to herself; or that which has been already stated would seem to be true, that neither virtue nor vice is anything, but that things are only reckoned good or evil by opinion; which, as the true word shows, is the greatest impiety and wickedness. But this we assert is inevitable fate, that they who choose the good have worthy rewards, and they who choose the opposite have their merited awards. For not like other things, as trees and quadrupeds, which cannot act by choice, did God make man: for neither would he be worthy of reward or praise did he not of himself choose the good, but were created for this end; nor, if he were evil, would he be worthy of punishment, not being evil of himself, but being able to be nothing else than what he was made.
Chapter 44. Not nullified by prophecy
And the holy Spirit of prophecy taught us this, telling us by Moses that God spoke thus to the man first created: Behold, before your face are good and evil: choose the good. And again, by the other prophet Isaiah, that the following utterance was made as if from God the Father and Lord of all: Wash you, make you clean; put away evils from your souls; learn to do well; judge the orphan, and plead for the widow: and come and let us reason together, says the Lord: And if your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as wool; and if they be red like as crimson, I will make them white as snow. And if you be willing and obey Me, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you do not obey Me, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. Isaiah 1:16, etc. And that expression, The sword shall devour you, does not mean that the disobedient shall be slain by the sword, but the sword of God is fire, of which they who choose to do wickedly become the fuel. Wherefore He says, The sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. And if He had spoken concerning a sword that cuts and at once dispatches, He would not have said, shall devour. And so, too, Plato, when he says, The blame is his who chooses, and God is blameless, took this from the prophet Moses and uttered it. For Moses is more ancient than all the Greek writers. And whatever both philosophers and poets have said concerning the immortality of the soul, or punishments after death, or contemplation of things heavenly, or doctrines of the like kind, they have received such suggestions from the prophets as have enabled them to understand and interpret these things. And hence there seem to be seeds of truth among all men; but they are charged with not accurately understanding [the truth] when they assert contradictories. So that what we say about future events being foretold, we do not say it as if they came about by a fatal necessity; but God foreknowing all that shall be done by all men, and it being His decree that the future actions of men shall all be recompensed according to their several value, He foretells by the Spirit of prophecy that He will bestow meet rewards according to the merit of the actions done, always urging the human race to effort and recollection, showing that He cares and provides for men. But by the agency of the devils death has been decreed against those who read the books of Hystaspes, or of the Sibyl, or of the prophets, that through fear they may prevent men who read them from receiving the knowledge of the good, and may retain them in slavery to themselves; which, however, they could not always effect. For not only do we fearlessly read them, but, as you see, bring them for your inspection, knowing that their contents will be pleasing to all. And if we persuade even a few, our gain will be very great; for, as good husbandmen, we shall receive the reward from the Master.
Chapter 45. Christ's session in heaven foretold
And that God the Father of all would bring Christ to heaven after He had raised Him from the dead, and would keep Him there until He has subdued His enemies the devils, and until the number of those who are foreknown by Him as good and virtuous is complete, on whose account He has still delayed the consummation— hear what was said by the prophet David. These are his words: The Lord said unto My Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool. The Lord shall send to You the rod of power out of Jerusalem; and rule You in the midst of Your enemies. With You is the government in the day of Your power, in the beauties of Your saints: from the womb of morning have I begotten You. That which he says, He shall send to You the rod of power out of Jerusalem, is predictive of the mighty word, which His apostles, going forth from Jerusalem, preached everywhere; and though death is decreed against those who teach or at all confess the name of Christ, we everywhere both embrace and teach it. And if you also read these words in a hostile spirit, you can do no more, as I said before, than kill us; which indeed does no harm to us, but to you and all who unjustly hate us, and do not repent, brings eternal punishment by fire.
Chapter 46. The Word in the world before Christ
But lest some should, without reason, and for the perversion of what we teach, maintain that we say that Christ was born one hundred and fifty years ago under Cyrenius, and subsequently, in the time of Pontius Pilate, taught what we say He taught; and should cry out against us as though all men who were born before Him were irresponsible — let us anticipate and solve the difficulty. We have been taught that Christ is the first-born of God, and we have declared above that He is the Word of whom every race of men were partakers; and those who lived reasonably are Christians, even though they have been thought atheists; as, among the Greeks, Socrates and Heraclitus, and men like them; and among the barbarians, Abraham, and Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael, and Elias, and many others whose actions and names we now decline to recount, because we know it would be tedious. So that even they who lived before Christ, and lived without reason, were wicked and hostile to Christ, and slew those who lived reasonably. But who, through the power of the Word, according to the will of God the Father and Lord of all, He was born of a virgin as a man, and was named Jesus, and was crucified, and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, an intelligent man will be able to comprehend from what has been already so largely said. And we, since the proof of this subject is less needful now, will pass for the present to the proof of those things which are urgent.
Chapter 47. Desolation of Judæa foretold
That the land of the Jews, then, was to be laid waste, hear what was said by the Spirit of prophecy. And the words were spoken as if from the person of the people wondering at what had happened. They are these: Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. The house of our sanctuary has become a curse, and the glory which our fathers blessed is burned up with fire, and all its glorious things are laid waste: and You refrain Yourself at these things, and have held Your peace, and have humbled us very sore. Isaiah 64:10-12 And you are convinced that Jerusalem has been laid waste, as was predicted. And concerning its desolation, and that no one should be permitted to inhabit it, there was the following prophecy by Isaiah: Their land is desolate, their enemies consume it before them, and none of them shall dwell therein. Isaiah 1:7 And that it is guarded by you lest any one dwell in it, and that death is decreed against a Jew apprehended entering it, you know very well.
Chapter 48. Christ's work and death foretold
And that it was predicted that our Christ should heal all diseases and raise the dead, hear what was said. There are these words: At His coming the lame shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the stammerer shall be clear speaking: the blind shall see, and the lepers shall be cleansed; and the dead shall rise, and walk about. Isaiah 35:6 And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. And how it was predicted by the Spirit of prophecy that He and those who hoped in Him should be slain, hear what was said by Isaiah. These are the words: Behold now the righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and just men are taken away, and no man considers. From the presence of wickedness is the righteous man taken, and his burial shall be in peace: he is taken from our midst. Isaiah 57:1
Chapter 49. His rejection by the Jews foretold
And again, how it was said by the same Isaiah, that the Gentile nations who were not looking for Him should worship Him, but the Jews who always expected Him should not recognise Him when He came. And the words are spoken as from the person of Christ; and they are these I was manifest to them that asked not for Me; I was found of them that sought Me not: I said, Behold Me, to a nation that called not on My name. I spread out My hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people, to those who walked in a way that is not good, but follow after their own sins; a people that provokes Me to anger to My face. Isaiah 65:1-3 For the Jews having the prophecies, and being always in expectation of the Christ to come, did not recognise Him; and not only so, but even treated Him shamefully. But the Gentiles, who had never heard anything about Christ, until the apostles set out from Jerusalem and preached concerning Him, and gave them the prophecies, were filled with joy and faith, and cast away their idols, and dedicated themselves to the Unbegotten God through Christ. And that it was foreknown that these infamous things should be uttered against those who confessed Christ, and that those who slandered Him, and said that it was well to preserve the ancient customs, should be miserable, hear what was briefly said by Isaiah; it is this: Woe unto them that call sweet bitter, and bitter sweet. Isaiah 5:20
Chapter 50. His humiliation predicted
But that, having become man for our sakes, He endured to suffer and to be dishonoured, and that He shall come again with glory, hear the prophecies which relate to this; they are these: Because they delivered His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, He has borne the sin of many, and shall make intercession for the transgressors. For, behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, and shall be exalted, and shall be greatly extolled. As many were astonished at You, so marred shall Your form be before men, and so hidden from them Your glory; so shall many nations wonder, and the kings shall shut their mouths at Him. For they to whom it was not told concerning Him, and they who have not heard, shall understand. O Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have declared before Him as a child, as a root in a dry ground. He had no form, nor glory; and we saw Him, and there was no form nor comeliness: but His form was dishonoured and marred more than the sons of men. A man under the stroke, and knowing how to bear infirmity, because His face was turned away: He was despised, and of no reputation. It is He who bears our sins, and is afflicted for us; yet we did esteem Him smitten, stricken, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of peace was upon Him, by His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; every man has wandered in his own way. And He delivered Him for our sins; and He opened not His mouth for all His affliction. He was brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so He opens not His mouth. In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away. Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-8 Accordingly, after He was crucified, even all His acquaintances forsook Him, having denied Him; and afterwards, when He had risen from the dead and appeared to them, and had taught them to read the prophecies in which all these things were foretold as coming to pass, and when they had seen Him ascending into heaven, and had believed, and had received power sent thence by Him upon them, and went to every race of men, they taught these things, and were called apostles.
Chapter 51. The majesty of Christ
And that the Spirit of prophecy might signify to us that He who suffers these things has an ineffable origin, and rules His enemies, He spoke thus: His generation who shall declare? Because His life is cut off from the earth: for their transgressions He comes to death. And I will give the wicked for His burial, and the rich for His death; because He did no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. And the Lord is pleased to cleanse Him from the stripe. If He be given for sin, your soul shall see His seed prolonged in days. And the Lord is pleased to deliver His soul from grief, to show Him light, and to form Him with knowledge, to justify the righteous who richly serves many. And He shall bear our iniquities. Therefore He shall inherit many, and He shall divide the spoil of the strong; because His soul was delivered to death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sins of many, and He was delivered up for their transgressions. Isaiah 53:8-12 Hear, too, how He was to ascend into heaven according to prophecy. It was thus spoken: Lift up the gates of heaven; be opened, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty. And how also He should come again out of heaven with glory, hear what was spoken in reference to this by the prophet Jeremiah. His words are: Behold, as the Son of man He comes in the clouds of heaven, and His angels with Him. Daniel 7:13
Chapter 52. Certain fulfilment of prophecy
Since, then, we prove that all things which have already happened had been predicted by the prophets before they came to pass, we must necessarily believe also that those things which are in like manner predicted, but are yet to come to pass, shall certainly happen. For as the things which have already taken place came to pass when foretold, and even though unknown, so shall the things that remain, even though they be unknown and disbelieved, yet come to pass. For the prophets have proclaimed two advents of His: the one, that which is already past, when He came as a dishonoured and suffering Man; but the second, when, according to prophecy, He shall come from heaven with glory, accompanied by His angelic host, when also He shall raise the bodies of all men who have lived, and shall clothe those of the worthy with immortality, and shall send those of the wicked, endued with eternal sensibility, into everlasting fire with the wicked devils. And that these things also have been foretold as yet to be, we will prove. By Ezekiel the prophet it was said: Joint shall be joined to joint, and bone to bone, and flesh shall grow again; and every knee shall bow to the Lord, and every tongue shall confess Him. Ezekiel 37:7-8; Isaiah 45:24 And in what kind of sensation and punishment the wicked are to be, hear from what was said in like manner with reference to this; it is as follows: Their worm shall not rest, and their fire shall not be quenched; Isaiah 66:24 and then shall they repent, when it profits them not. And what the people of the Jews shall say and do, when they see Him coming in glory, has been thus predicted by Zechariah the prophet: I will command the four winds to gather the scattered children; I will command the north wind to bring them, and the south wind, that it keep not back. And then in Jerusalem there shall be great lamentation, not the lamentation of mouths or of lips, but the lamentation of the heart; and they shall rend not their garments, but their hearts. Tribe by tribe they shall mourn, and then they shall look on Him whom they have pierced; and they shall say, Why, O Lord, have You made us to err from Your way? The glory which our fathers blessed, has for us been turned into shame.
Chapter 53. Summary of the prophecies
Though we could bring forward many other prophecies, we forbear, judging these sufficient for the persuasion of those who have ears to hear and understand; and considering also that those persons are able to see that we do not make mere assertions without being able to produce proof, like those fables that are told of the so-called sons of Jupiter. For with what reason should we believe of a crucified man that He is the first-born of the unbegotten God, and Himself will pass judgment on the whole human race, unless we had found testimonies concerning Him published before He came and was born as man, and unless we saw that things had happened accordingly— the devastation of the land of the Jews, and men of every race persuaded by His teaching through the apostles, and rejecting their old habits, in which, being deceived, they had their conversation; yea, seeing ourselves too, and knowing that the Christians from among the Gentiles are both more numerous and more true than those from among the Jews and Samaritans? For all the other human races are called Gentiles by the Spirit of prophecy; but the Jewish and Samaritan races are called the tribe of Israel, and the house of Jacob. And the prophecy in which it was predicted that there should be more believers from the Gentiles than from the Jews and Samaritans, we will produce: it ran thus: Rejoice, O barren, you that do not bear; break forth and shout, you that do not travail, because many more are the children of the desolate than of her that has an husband. Isaiah 54:1 For all the Gentiles were desolate of the true God, serving the works of their hands; but the Jews and Samaritans, having the word of God delivered to them by the prophets, and always expecting the Christ, did not recognise Him when He came, except some few, of whom the Spirit of prophecy by Isaiah had predicted that they should be saved. He spoke as from their person: Unless the Lord had left us a seed, we should have been as Sodom and Gomorrha. Isaiah 1:9 For Sodom and Gomorrha are related by Moses to have been cities of ungodly men, which God burned with fire and brimstone, and overthrew, no one of their inhabitants being saved except a certain stranger, a Chaldæan by birth, whose name was Lot; with whom also his daughters were rescued. And those who care may yet see their whole country desolate and burned, and remaining barren. And to show how those from among the Gentiles were foretold as more true and more believing, we will cite what was said by Isaiah the prophet; for he spoke as follows Israel is uncircumcised in heart, but the Gentiles are uncircumcised in the flesh. So many things therefore, as these, when they are seen with the eye, are enough to produce conviction and belief in those who embrace the truth, and are not bigoted in their opinions, nor are governed by their passions.
Chapter 54. Origin of heathen mythology
But those who hand down the myths which the poets have made, adduce no proof to the youths who learn them; and we proceed to demonstrate that they have been uttered by the influence of the wicked demons, to deceive and lead astray the human race. For having heard it proclaimed through the prophets that the Christ was to come, and that the ungodly among men were to be punished by fire, they put forward many to be called sons of Jupiter, under the impression that they would be able to produce in men the idea that the things which were said with regard to Christ were mere marvellous tales, like the things which were said by the poets. And these things were said both among the Greeks and among all nations where they [the demons] heard the prophets foretelling that Christ would specially be believed in; but that in hearing what was said by the prophets they did not accurately understand it, but imitated what was said of our Christ, like men who are in error, we will make plain. The prophet Moses, then, was, as we have already said, older than all writers; and by him, as we have also said before, it was thus predicted: There shall not fail a prince from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until He come for whom it is reserved; and He shall be the desire of the Gentiles, binding His foal to the vine, washing His robe in the blood of the grape. Genesis 49:10 The devils, accordingly, when they heard these prophetic words, said that Bacchus was the son of Jupiter, and gave out that he was the discoverer of the vine, and they number wine [or, the ass] among his mysteries; and they taught that, having been torn in pieces, he ascended into heaven. And because in the prophecy of Moses it had not been expressly intimated whether He who was to come was the Son of God, and whether He would, riding on the foal, remain on earth or ascend into heaven, and because the name of foal could mean either the foal of an ass or the foal of a horse, they, not knowing whether He who was foretold would bring the foal of an ass or of a horse as the sign of His coming, nor whether He was the Son of God, as we said above, or of man, gave out that Bellerophon, a man born of man, himself ascended to heaven on his horse Pegasus. And when they heard it said by the other prophet Isaiah, that He should be born of a virgin, and by His own means ascend into heaven, they pretended that Perseus was spoken of. And when they knew what was said, as has been cited above, in the prophecies written aforetime, Strong as a giant to run his course, they said that Hercules was strong, and had journeyed over the whole earth. And when, again, they learned that it had been foretold that He should heal every sickness, and raise the dead, they produced Æsculapius.
Chapter 55. Symbols of the cross
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 role; 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 that trophy which is called a sail abide safe in the ship; and the earth is not ploughed without it: diggers and mechanics do not their work, except with tools which have this shape. And the human form differs from that of the irrational animals in nothing else than in its being erect and having the hands extended, and having on the face extending from the forehead what is called the nose, through which there is respiration for the living creature; and this shows no other form than that of the cross. And so it was said by the prophet, The breath before our face is the Lord Christ. And the power of this form is shown by your own symbols on what are called vexilla [banners] and trophies, with which all your state possessions are made, using these as the insignia of your power and government, even though you do so unwittingly. And with this form you consecrate the images of your emperors when they die, and you name them gods by inscriptions. Since, therefore, we have urged you both by reason and by an evident form, and to the utmost of our ability, we know that now we are blameless even though you disbelieve; for our part is done and finished.
Chapter 56. The demons still mislead men
But the evil spirits were not satisfied with saying, before Christ's appearance, that those who were said to be sons of Jupiter were born of him; but after He had appeared, and been born among men, and when they learned how He had been foretold by the prophets, and knew that He should be believed on and looked for by every nation, they again, as was said above, put forward other men, the Samaritans Simon and Menander, who did many mighty works by magic, and deceived many, and still keep them deceived. For even among yourselves, as we said before, Simon was in the royal city Rome in the reign of Claudius Cæsar, and so greatly astonished the sacred senate and people of the Romans, that he was considered a god, and honoured, like the others whom you honour as gods, with a statue. Wherefore we pray that the sacred senate and your people may, along with yourselves, be arbiters of this our memorial, in order that if any one be entangled by that man's doctrines, he may learn the truth, and so be able to escape error; and as for the statue, if you please, destroy it.
Chapter 57. And cause persecution
Nor can the devils persuade men that there will be no conflagration for the punishment of the wicked; as they were unable to effect that Christ should be hidden after He came. But this only can they effect, that they who live irrationally, and were brought up licentiously in wicked customs, and are prejudiced in their own opinions, should kill and hate us; whom we not only do not hate, but, as is proved, pity and endeavour to lead to repentance. For we do not fear death, since it is acknowledged we must surely die; and there is nothing new, but all things continue the same in this administration of things; and if satiety overtakes those who enjoy even one year of these things, they ought to give heed to our doctrines, that they may live eternally free both from suffering and from want. But if they believe that there is nothing after death, but declare that those who die pass into insensibility, then they become our benefactors when they set us free from sufferings and necessities of this life, and prove themselves to be wicked, and inhuman, and bigoted. For they kill us with no intention of delivering us, but cut us off that we may be deprived of life and pleasure.
Chapter 58. And raise up heretics
And, as we said before, the devils put forward Marcion of Pontus, who is even now teaching men to deny that God is the maker of all things in heaven and on earth, and that the Christ predicted by the prophets is His Son, and preaches another god besides the Creator of all, and likewise another son. And this man many have believed, as if he alone knew the truth, and laugh at us, though they have no proof of what they say, but are carried away irrationally as lambs by a wolf, and become the prey of atheistical doctrines, and of devils. For they who are called devils attempt nothing else than to seduce men from God who made them, and from Christ His first-begotten; and those who are unable to raise themselves above the earth they have riveted, and do now rivet, to things earthly, and to the works of their own hands; but those who devote themselves to the contemplation of things divine, they secretly beat back; and if they have not a wise sober-mindedness, and a pure and passionless life, they drive them into godlessness.
Chapter 59. Plato's obligation to Moses
And that you may learn that it was from our teachers— we mean the account given through the prophets— that Plato borrowed his statement that God, having altered matter which was shapeless, made the world, hear the very words spoken through Moses, who, as above shown, was the first prophet, and of greater antiquity than the Greek writers; and through whom the Spirit of prophecy, signifying how and from what materials God at first formed the world, spoke thus: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was invisible and unfurnished, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and it was so. So that both Plato and they who agree with him, and we ourselves, have learned, and you also can be convinced, that by the word of God the whole world was made out of the substance spoken of before by Moses. And that which the poets call Erebus, we know was spoken of formerly by Moses. Deuteronomy 32:22
Chapter 60. Plato's doctrine of the cross
And the physiological discussion concerning the Son of God in the Timæus of Plato, where he says, He placed him crosswise in the universe, he borrowed in like manner from Moses; for in the writings of Moses it is related how at that time, when the Israelites went out of Egypt and were in the wilderness, they fell in with poisonous beasts, both vipers and asps, and every kind of serpent, which slew the people; and that Moses, by the inspiration and influence of God, took brass, and made it into the figure of a cross, and set it in the holy tabernacle, and said to the people, If you look to this figure, and believe, you shall be saved thereby. Numbers 21:8 And when this was done, it is recorded that the serpents died, and it is handed down that the people thus escaped death. Which things Plato reading, and not accurately understanding, and not apprehending that it was the figure of the cross, but taking it to be a placing crosswise, he said that the power next to the first God was placed crosswise in the universe. And as to his speaking of a third, he did this because he read, as we said above, that which was spoken by Moses, that the Spirit of God moved over the waters. For he gives the second place to the Logos which is with God, who he said was placed crosswise in the universe; and the third place to the Spirit who was said to be borne upon the water, saying, And the third around the third. And hear how the Spirit of prophecy signified through Moses that there should be a conflagration. He spoke thus: Everlasting fire shall descend, and shall devour to the pit beneath. Deuteronomy 32:22 It is not, then, that we hold the same opinions as others, but that all speak in imitation of ours. Among us these things can be heard and learned from persons who do not even know the forms of the letters, who are uneducated and barbarous in speech, though wise and believing in mind; some, indeed, even maimed and deprived of eyesight; so that you may understand that these things are not the effect of human wisdom, but are uttered by the power of God.
Chapter 61. Christian baptism
I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ; lest, if we omit this, we seem to be unfair in the explanation we are making. As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, Unless you be born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. John 3:5 Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers' wombs, is manifest to all. And how those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins, is declared by Esaias the prophet, as I wrote above; he thus speaks: Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from your souls; learn to do well; judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow: and come and let us reason together, says the Lord. And though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white like wool; and though they be as crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if you refuse and rebel, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. Isaiah 1:16-20
And for this [rite] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father and Lord of the universe; he who leads to the laver the person that is to be washed calling him by this name alone. For no one can utter the name of the ineffable God; and if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness. And this washing is called illumination, because they who learn these things are illuminated in their understandings. And in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Ghost, who through the prophets foretold all things about Jesus, he who is illuminated is washed.
Chapter 62. Its imitation by demons
And the devils, indeed, having heard this washing published by the prophet, instigated those who enter their temples, and are about to approach them with libations and burnt-offerings, also to sprinkle themselves; and they cause them also to wash themselves entirely, as they depart [from the sacrifice], before they enter into the shrines in which their images are set. And the command, too, given by the priests to those who enter and worship in the temples, that they take off their shoes, the devils, learning what happened to the above-mentioned prophet Moses, have given in imitation of these things. For at that juncture, when Moses was ordered to go down into Egypt and lead out the people of the Israelites who were there, and while he was tending the flocks of his maternal uncle in the land of Arabia, our Christ conversed with him under the appearance of fire from a bush, and said, Put off your shoes, and draw near and hear. And he, when he had put off his shoes and drawn near, heard that he was to go down into Egypt and lead out the people of the Israelites there; and he received mighty power from Christ, who spoke to him in the appearance of fire, and went down and led out the people, having done great and marvellous things; which, if you desire to know, you will learn them accurately from his writings.
Chapter 63. How God appeared to Moses
And all the Jews even now teach that the nameless God spoke to Moses; whence the Spirit of prophecy, accusing them by Isaiah the prophet mentioned above, said The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel does not know Me, and My people do not understand. Isaiah 1:3 And Jesus the Christ, because the Jews knew not what the Father was, and what the Son, in like manner accused them; and Himself said, No one knows the Father, but the Son; nor the Son, but the Father, and they to whom the Son reveals Him. Matthew 11:27 Now the Word of God is His Son, as we have before said. And He is called Angel and Apostle; for He declares whatever we ought to know, and is sent forth to declare whatever is revealed; as our Lord Himself says, He that hears Me, hears Him that sent Me. Luke 10:16 From the writings of Moses also this will be manifest; for thus it is written in them, And the Angel of God spoke to Moses, in a flame of fire out of the bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of your fathers; go down into Egypt, and bring forth My people. Exodus 3:6 And if you wish to learn what follows, you can do so from the same writings; for it is impossible to relate the whole here. But so much is written for the sake of proving that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God and His Apostle, being of old the Word, and appearing sometimes in the form of fire, and sometimes in the likeness of angels; but now, by the will of God, having become man for the human race, He endured all the sufferings which the devils instigated the senseless Jews to inflict upon Him; who, though they have it expressly affirmed in the writings of Moses, And the angel of God spoke to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush, and said, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yet maintain that He who said this was the Father and Creator of the universe. Whence also the Spirit of prophecy rebukes them, and says, Israel does not know Me, my people have not understood Me. Isaiah 1:3 And again, Jesus, as we have already shown, while He was with them, said, No one knows the Father, but the Son; nor the Son but the Father, and those to whom the Son will reveal Him. Matthew 11:27 The Jews, accordingly, being throughout of opinion that it was the Father of the universe who spoke to Moses, though He who spoke to him was indeed the Son of God, who is called both Angel and Apostle, are justly charged, both by the Spirit of prophecy and by Christ Himself, with knowing neither the Father nor the Son. For they who affirm that the Son is the Father, are proved neither to have become acquainted with the Father, nor to know that the Father of the universe has a Son; who also, being the first-begotten Word of God, is even God. And of old He appeared in the shape of fire and in the likeness of an angel to Moses and to the other prophets; but now in the times of your reign, having, as we before said, become Man by a virgin, according to the counsel of the Father, for the salvation of those who believe in Him, He endured both to be set at nought and to suffer, that by dying and rising again He might conquer death. And that which was said out of the bush to Moses, I am that I am, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and the God of your fathers, Exodus 3:6 this signified that they, even though dead, are yet in existence, and are men belonging to Christ Himself. For they were the first of all men to busy themselves in the search after God; Abraham being the father of Isaac, and Isaac of Jacob, as Moses wrote.
Chapter 64. Further misrepresentations of the truth
From what has been already said, you can understand how the devils, in imitation of what was said by Moses, asserted that Proserpine was the daughter of Jupiter, and instigated the people to set up an image of her under the name of Kore [Cora, i.e., the maiden or daughter] at the spring-heads. For, as we wrote above, Moses said, In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and unfurnished: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. In imitation, therefore, of what is here said of the Spirit of God moving on the waters, they said that Proserpine [or Cora] was the daughter of Jupiter. And in like manner also they craftily feigned that Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter, not by sexual union, but, knowing that God conceived and made the world by the Word, they say that Minerva is the first conception [ἔννοια]; which we consider to be very absurd, bringing forward the form of the conception in a female shape. And in like manner the actions of those others who are called sons of Jupiter sufficiently condemn them.
Chapter 65. Administration of the sacraments
But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to γένοιτο [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.
Chapter 66. Of the Eucharist
And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, This do in remembrance of Me, Luke 22:19 this is My body; and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, This is My blood; and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.
Chapter 67. Weekly worship of the Christians
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.
Chapter 68. Conclusion
And if these things seem to you to be reasonable and true, honour them; but if they seem nonsensical, despise them as nonsense, and do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies. For we forewarn you, that you shall not escape the coming judgment of God, if you continue in your injustice; and we ourselves will invite you to do that which is pleasing to God. And though from the letter of the greatest and most illustrious Emperor Adrian, your father, we could demand that you order judgment to be given as we have desired, yet we have made this appeal and explanation, not on the ground of Adrian's decision, but because we know that what we ask is just. And we have subjoined the copy of Adrian's epistle, that you may know that we are speaking truly about this. And the following is the copy:—
Appendix
Epistle of Adrian in behalf of the Christians
Epistle of Antoninus to the common assembly of Asia
The Emperor Cæsar Titus Ælius Adrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Supreme Pontiff, in the fifteenth year of his tribuneship, Consul for the third time, Father of the fatherland, to the Common Assembly of Asia, greeting: I should have thought that the gods themselves would see to it that such offenders should not escape. For if they had the power, they themselves would much rather punish those who refuse to worship them; but it is you who bring trouble on these persons, and accuse as the opinion of atheists that which they hold, and lay to their charge certain other things which we are unable to prove. But it would be advantageous to them that they should be thought to die for that of which they are accused, and they conquer you by being lavish of their lives rather than yield that obedience which you require of them. And regarding the earthquakes which have already happened and are now occurring, it is not seemly that you remind us of them, losing heart whenever they occur, and thus set your conduct in contrast with that of these men; for they have much greater confidence towards God than you yourselves have. And you, indeed, seem at such times to ignore the gods, and you neglect the temples, and make no recognition of the worship of God. And hence you are jealous of those who do serve Him, and persecute them to the death. Concerning such persons, some others also of the governors of provinces wrote to my most divine father; to whom he replied that they should not at all disturb such persons, unless they were found to be attempting anything against the Roman government. And to myself many have sent intimations regarding such persons, to whom I also replied in pursuance of my father's judgment. But if any one has a matter to bring against any person of this class, merely as such a person, let the accused be acquitted of the charge, even though he should be found to be such an one; but let the accuser be amenable to justice.Epistle of Marcus Aurelius to the senate, in which he testifies that the Christians were the cause of his victory
The Emperor Cæsar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Germanicus, Parthicus, Sarmaticus, to the People of Rome, and to the sacred Senate greeting: I explained to you my grand design, and what advantages I gained on the confines of Germany, with much labour and suffering, in consequence of the circumstance that I was surrounded by the enemy; I myself being shut up in Carnuntum by seventy-four cohorts, nine miles off. And the enemy being at hand, the scouts pointed out to us, and our general Pompeianus showed us that there was close on us a mass of a mixed multitude of 977,000 men, which indeed we saw; and I was shut up by this vast host, having with me only a battalion composed of the first, tenth, double and marine legions. Having then examined my own position, and my host, with respect to the vast mass of barbarians and of the enemy, I quickly betook myself to prayer to the gods of my country. But being disregarded by them, I summoned those who among us go by the name of Christians. And having made inquiry, I discovered a great number and vast host of them, and raged against them, which was by no means becoming; for afterwards I learned their power. Wherefore they began the battle, not by preparing weapons, nor arms, nor bugles; for such preparation is hateful to them, on account of the God they bear about in their conscience. Therefore it is probable that those whom we suppose to be atheists, have God as their ruling power entrenched in their conscience. For having cast themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me, but also for the whole army as it stood, that they might be delivered from the present thirst and famine. For during five days we had got no water, because there was none; for we were in the heart of Germany, and in the enemy's territory. And simultaneously with their casting themselves on the ground, and praying to God (a God of whom I am ignorant), water poured from heaven, upon us most refreshingly cool, but upon the enemies of Rome a withering hail. And immediately we recognised the presence of God following on the prayer — a God unconquerable and indestructible. Founding upon this, then, let us pardon such as are Christians, lest they pray for and obtain such a weapon against ourselves. And I counsel that no such person be accused on the ground of his being a Christian. But if any one be found laying to the charge of a Christian that he is a Christian, I desire that it be made manifest that he who is accused as a Christian, and acknowledges that he is one, is accused of nothing else than only this, that he is a Christian; but that he who arraigns him be burned alive. And I further desire, that he who is entrusted with the government of the province shall not compel the Christian, who confesses and certifies such a matter, to retract; neither shall he commit him. And I desire that these things be confirmed by a decree of the Senate. And I command this my edict to be published in the Forum of Trajan, in order that it may be read. The prefect Vitrasius Pollio will see that it be transmitted to all the provinces round about, and that no one who wishes to make use of or to possess it be hindered from obtaining a copy from the document I now publish.Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Arrivare a conoscere Dio a tu per tu. Ci arriverà ma
partendo da lontano, da pagano, questo uomo dalla mente acuta e dall’anima
ancora più affilata. Nella Samaria del primo secolo dopo Cristo, Giustino
cresce nutrendosi di filosofia. I maestri del pensiero greco sono la luce che
indirizza la sua ricerca verso quell’Essere infinito la cui conoscenza lo
seduce e che, se potesse, vorrebbe afferrare e spiegare con la forza della
razionalità.
Deluso dalle filosofie
Perché la “visione di Dio” è, per Giustino, il fine della filosofia. Ma quale
corrente più delle altre è in grado almeno di avvicinarla? Il samaritano di
Flavia Neapolis, sua città natale, bussa alla porta di stoici, peripatetici,
pitagorici. Nessuno sa offrirgli quello zenit così ambito. Il cuore di Giustino
si riscalda un po’ quando conosce un pensatore platonico. “Le conoscenze delle
realtà incorporee e la contemplazione delle Idee eccitava la mia mente...”,
scriverà, decidendo di proseguire questa ricerca via dalla folla delle città.
Puoi parlare di Dio se Lo conosci
Nel luogo appartato che si è scelto – descritto nel suo “Dialogo con Trifone” –
incontra un anziano, col quale discute sull’idea di Dio. Lo sforzo di approdare
alla definizione perfetta si infrange però sullo scoglio di una considerazione:
se un filosofo, osserva l’anziano, non ha mai visto né udito Dio, come può
elaborare da solo un pensiero su di Lui? Il dialogo si sposta allora sui
Profeti: loro nei secoli avevano parlato di Dio e profetizzato in suo nome
sulla venuta del Figlio nel mondo. È la svolta. Giustino si converte al
cristianesimo e verso il 130, a Efeso, riceve il Battesimo.
Il genio a servizio del Vangelo
Qualche tempo dopo Giustino è a Roma dove apre una scuola filosofica e diventa
un instancabile annunciatore di Cristo agli studiosi pagani. Scrive e parla del
Dio che ha finalmente conosciuto utilizzando le categorie e il linguaggio dei
filosofi. Soprattutto usa l’ingegno e la destrezza dialettica in difesa dei
cristiani perseguitati, come dimostrano le sue due Apologie. Giustino attacca
soprattutto i calunniatori di mestiere, ma l’urto in pubblico col filosofo
Crescente – rabbioso anticristiano appoggiato dal potere – gli è fatale. Giustino
viene incarcerato, ironia della sorte, come “ateo”, cioè un sovversivo, un
nemico dello Stato. Viene decapitato con altri sei compagni intorno al 165,
sotto Marco Aurelio.
Indimenticato da duemila anni
La fama del missionario-filosofo – cui si deve la più antica descrizione della
liturgia eucaristica – si fissa per sempre. Perfino il Vaticano II richiama il
suo insegnamento in due pilastri conciliari: la “Lumen gentium” e la “Gaudium
et spes”. Per Giustino, il cristianesimo è la manifestazione storica e
personale del Logos nella sua totalità. Per questo dirà: “Tutto ciò che di
bello è stato espresso da chiunque, appartiene a noi cristiani”.
(Vatican News)
Ma questo non significa una rottura con il suo passato di studioso dell’ellenismo. Anzi: egli sente di avere raggiunto un traguardo, trovando in Cristo la verità che i pensatori greci gli hanno insegnato a ricercare.
Negli anni 131-132 lo troviamo a Roma, annunciatore del Vangelo agli studiosi pagani; un missionario-filosofo, che parla e scrive. Nella prima delle sue due Apologie, egli onora la sapienza antica, collocandola nel piano divino di salvezza che si realizza in Cristo. È l’uomo, insomma, dei primi passi nel dialogo con la cultura greco-romana.
Al tempo stesso, Giustino si batte contro i pregiudizi che l’ignoranza alimenta contro i cristiani, esalta il vigore della loro fede anche nella persecuzione, la loro mitezza e l’amore per il prossimo. Vuole sradicare quella taccia di “nemici dello Stato”, che giustifica avversioni e paure. Il successivo Dialogo con Trifone ha invece la forma letteraria di una sua disputa a Efeso con un rabbino, nel quale Giustino illustra come Gesù ha dato adempimento in vita e in morte alla Legge e agli annunci dei Profeti.
Predicatore e studioso itinerante, Giustino soggiorna in varie città dell’Impero; ma è ancora a Roma che si conclude la sua vita. Qui alcuni cristiani sono stati messi a morte come “atei” (cioè sovversivi, nemici dello Stato e dei suoi culti). Allora lui scrive una seconda Apologia, indirizzata al Senato romano, e si scaglia contro un accanito denunciatore, il filosofo Crescente: sappiano i senatori che costui è un calunniatore, già ampiamente svergognato come tale da lui, Giustino, in pubblici contraddittori. Ma Crescente sta con il potere, e Giustino finisce in carcere, anche lui come “ateo”, per essere decapitato con altri sei compagni di fede, al tempo dell’imperatore Marco Aurelio. Lo attestano gli Acta Sancti Iustini et sociorum, il cui valore storico è riconosciuto unanimemente. Non ci è noto il luogo della sua sepoltura.
Anche la maggior parte dei suoi scritti è andata perduta. Eppure la sua voce ha continuato a parlare. Nel Concilio Vaticano I i vescovi vollero che egli fosse ricordato ogni anno dalla Chiesa universale. E il Concilio Vaticano II ha richiamato il suo insegnamento in due dei suoi testi fondamentali: la costituzione dogmatica sulla Chiesa, Lumen gentium, e la costituzione pastorale sulla Chiesa nel mondo contemporaneo, Gaudium et spes.
Autore: Domenico Agasso
Kaple svatého Justina u Stvolínek
BENEDETTO XVI
UDIENZA GENERALE
San Giustino, filosofo e martire
Cari fratelli e sorelle,
stiamo in queste catechesi riflettendo sulle grandi
figure della Chiesa nascente. Oggi parliamo di san Giustino, filosofo e
martire, il più importante tra i Padri apologisti del secondo secolo. La parola
«apologisti» designa quegli antichi scrittori cristiani che si proponevano di
difendere la nuova religione dalle pesanti accuse dei pagani e degli Ebrei, e
di diffondere la dottrina cristiana in termini adatti alla cultura del proprio
tempo. Così negli apologisti è presente una duplice sollecitudine: quella, più
propriamente apologetica, di difendere il cristianesimo nascente (apologhía in
greco significa appunto «difesa») e quella propositiva, «missionaria», di
esporre i contenuti della fede in un linguaggio e con categorie di pensiero
comprensibili ai contemporanei.
Giustino era nato intorno all’anno 100 presso l’antica
Sichem, in Samaria, in Terra Santa; egli cercò a lungo la verità, pellegrinando
nelle varie scuole della tradizione filosofica greca. Finalmente – come egli
stesso racconta nei primi capitoli del suo Dialogo con Trifone – un
misterioso personaggio, un vegliardo incontrato lungo la spiaggia del mare, lo
mise dapprima in crisi, dimostrandogli l’incapacità dell’uomo a soddisfare con
le sole sue forze l’aspirazione al divino. Poi gli indicò negli antichi profeti
le persone a cui rivolgersi per trovare la strada di Dio e la «vera filosofia».
Nel congedarlo, l’anziano lo esortò alla preghiera, perché gli venissero aperte
le porte della luce. Il racconto adombra l’episodio cruciale della vita di
Giustino: al termine di un lungo itinerario filosofico di ricerca della verità,
egli approdò alla fede cristiana. Fondò una scuola a Roma, dove gratuitamente
iniziava gli allievi alla nuova religione, considerata come la vera filosofia.
In essa, infatti, aveva trovato la verità e quindi l’arte di vivere in modo
retto. Fu denunciato per questo motivo e venne decapitato intorno al 165, sotto
il regno di Marco Aurelio, l’imperatore filosofo a cui Giustino stesso aveva
indirizzato una sua Apologia.
Sono queste – le due Apologie e il Dialogo
con Trifone – le sole opere che di lui ci rimangono. In esse
Giustino intende illustrare anzitutto il progetto divino della creazione e
della salvezza che si compie in Gesù Cristo, il Logos, cioè il Verbo
eterno, la Ragione eterna, la Ragione creatrice. Ogni uomo, in quanto creatura
razionale, è partecipe del Logos, ne porta in sé un «seme», e può cogliere
i barlumi della verità. Così lo stesso Logos, che si è rivelato come in
figura profetica agli Ebrei nella Legge antica, si è manifestato parzialmente,
come in «semi di verità», anche nella filosofia greca. Ora, conclude Giustino,
poiché il cristianesimo è la manifestazione storica e personale del Logos nella
sua totalità, ne consegue che «tutto ciò che di bello è stato espresso da
chiunque, appartiene a noi cristiani» (2 Apol. 13,4). In questo modo
Giustino, pur contestando alla filosofia greca le sue contraddizioni, orienta
decisamente al Logos qualunque verità filosofica, motivando dal punto
di vista razionale la singolare «pretesa» di verità e di universalità della
religione cristiana. Se l’Antico Testamento tende a Cristo come la figura
orienta verso la realtà significata, la filosofia greca mira anch’essa a Cristo
e al Vangelo, come la parte tende a unirsi al tutto. E dice che queste due
realtà, l’Antico Testamento e la filosofia greca, sono come le due strade che
guidano a Cristo, al Logos. Ecco perché la filosofia greca non può opporsi
alla verità evangelica, e i cristiani possono attingervi con fiducia, come a un
bene proprio. Perciò il mio venerato Predecessore, Papa Giovanni Paolo II,
definì Giustino «pioniere di un incontro positivo col pensiero filosofico,
anche se nel segno di un cauto discernimento»: perché Giustino, «pur
conservando anche dopo la conversione grande stima per la filosofia greca,
asseriva con forza e chiarezza di aver trovato nel cristianesimo “l’unica
sicura e proficua filosofia” (Dial. 8,1)» (Fides et ratio, 38).
Nel complesso la figura e l’opera di Giustino segnano
la decisa opzione della Chiesa antica per la filosofia, per la ragione,
piuttosto che per la religione dei pagani. Con la religione pagana, infatti, i
primi cristiani rifiutarono strenuamente ogni compromesso. La ritenevano
idolatria, a costo di essere tacciati per questo di «empietà» e di «ateismo».
In particolare Giustino, specialmente nella sua prima Apologia, condusse
una critica implacabile nei confronti della religione pagana e dei suoi miti,
considerati da lui come diabolici «depistaggi» nel cammino della verità. La
filosofia rappresentò invece l’area privilegiata dell’incontro tra paganesimo,
giudaismo e cristianesimo proprio sul piano della critica alla religione pagana
e ai suoi falsi miti. «La nostra filosofia...»: così, nel modo più esplicito,
giunse a definire la nuova religione un altro apologista contemporaneo di
Giustino, il Vescovo Melitone di Sardi (citato in Eusebio, Storia
Eccl. 4,26,7).
Di fatto la religione pagana non batteva le vie del Logos,
ma si ostinava su quelle del mito, anche se questo era riconosciuto dalla
filosofia greca come privo di consistenza nella verità. Perciò il tramonto
della religione pagana era inevitabile: esso fluiva come logica conseguenza del
distacco della religione – ridotta a un artificioso insieme di cerimonie,
convenzioni e consuetudini – dalla verità dell’essere. Giustino, e con lui gli
altri apologisti, siglarono la presa di posizione netta della fede cristiana
per il Dio dei filosofi contro i falsi dèi della religione pagana. Era la
scelta per la verità dell’essere contro il mito della consuetudine.
Qualche decennio dopo Giustino, Tertulliano definì la medesima opzione dei
cristiani con una sentenza lapidaria e sempre valida: «Dominus noster Christus
veritatem se, non consuetudinem, cognominavit – Cristo ha affermato di
essere la verità, non la consuetudine» (La velazione delle vergini 1,1).
Si noti in proposito che il termine consuetudo, qui impiegato da
Tertulliano in riferimento alla religione pagana, può essere tradotto nelle
lingue moderne con le espressioni «moda culturale», «moda del tempo».
In un’età come la nostra, segnata dal relativismo nel
dibattito sui valori e sulla religione – come pure nel dialogo interreligioso
–, è questa una lezione da non dimenticare. A tale scopo vi ripropongo – e così
concludo – le ultime parole del misterioso vegliardo, incontrato dal filosofo
Giustino sulla riva del mare: «Tu prega anzitutto che le porte della luce ti
siano aperte, perché nessuno può vedere e comprendere, se Dio e il suo Cristo
non gli concedono di capire» (Dial. 7,3).
Saluti:
Je salue avec joie les pèlerins francophones, en
particulier les séminaristes d’Ars, accompagnés par leur Évêque, Mgr Guy Bagnard,
et tous les jeunes présents. À l’exemple de saint Justin, soyez passionnés par
la quête de la vérité et devenez des témoins audacieux du Christ pour notre
temps.
I offer a warm welcome to all the English-speaking
visitors present at today’s audience. I extend particular greetings to the
students from the American Taipei School, to the members of the Shinto
religious delegation from Japan and to the pilgrims from Saint Vincent
Archabbey in Latrobe. May this Lenten season purify your hearts and fill
you with joy, and may God bless you all!
Von Herzen möchte ich alle deutschsprachigen Pilger
und Besucher begrüßen insbesondere natürlich das Professorenkollegium der
Katholisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Universität Tübingen, dem ich ja auch
drei Jahre angehören durfte. Der heilige Justinus hat mit seiner ganzen
Existenz leidenschaftlich nach der Wahrheit gesucht und sie im christlichen
Glauben gefunden. Wie er bitten wir darum, daß Gott uns schenke, ihn immer
tiefer zu erkennen und so im Glauben und in der Liebe zu wachsen. Dabei stärke
und geleite uns alle der Heilige Geist. In diesem Sinn, gesegnete Tage in Rom.
Saludo cordialmente a los peregrinos de venidos de
España y de América Latina, especialmente a las Religiosas del Sagrado Corazón,
a los miembros del Colegio de Titulados Mercantiles de Madrid, a los de la
Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Galicia, así como a los fieles de Cádiz,
Melilla, Alcoy, Sabadell y Getafe. En nuestra época, marcada por el relativismo
en el debate sobre los valores, la religión y también en el diálogo
interreligioso, recordemos esta enseñanza de san Justino. Pidamos, pues, a Dios
que ilumine nuestra mente para que comprendamos el gran don de la salvación
recibida por Cristo.
Queridos peregrinos vindos do Brasil e demais países
de língua portuguesa, a minha saudação amiga para todos vós, com votos dum
frutuoso empenho na caminhada quaresmal que vos transforme na luz radiosa da
Páscoa. Rezai, para que a todos sejam abertas as portas da luz! Sobre vós e
vossas famílias, desça a minha Bênção Apostólica.
Saluto in lingua ceca:
Srdečně vítám poutníky z České Republiky, krajany z
Associazione Praga a studenty Papežské koleje Nepomucenum! Drazí přátelé,
postní doba je časem duchovní obnovy. Prosme Pána o pravé obrácení a hlubokou
lásku ke Kristu. K tomu ze srdce žehnám vám i vašim drahým! Chvála Kristu!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua ceca:
Un cordiale benvenuto ai pellegrini di Repubblica
Ceca, ai connazionali dall´Associazione Praga ed agli studenti del Pontificio
Collegio Nepomuceno a Roma! Cari amici, il tempo di Quaresima è un´occasione
del rinovamento spirituale. Chiediamo al Signore una vera conversione e l´amore
profondo a Cristo! Con questi voti benedico di cuore voi e i vostri cari! Sia
lodato Gesù Cristo!
Saluto in lingua croata:
Od srca pozdravljam i blagoslivljam hodočasnike iz
Hrvatske i Bosne i Hercegovine! Korizmeno vrijeme neka vas potiče na osobno
obraćenje i duhovnu obnovu kako biste radosno nasljedovali Krista riječju i
djelima ljubavi. Hvaljen Isus i Marija!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua croata:
Di cuore saluto e benedico i pellegrini dalla Croazia
e dalla Bosnia ed Erzegovina! Il tempo quaresimale vi conduca alla conversione
personale e al rinnovo spirituale affinché possiate seguire con gioia Cristo
con le parole e le opere di carità. Siano lodati Gesù e Maria!
Saluto in lingua polacca:
Pozdrawiam obecnych tu pielgrzymów polskich.
Przedwczoraj obchodziliśmy uroczystość świętego Józefa. Jest On także moim
patronem. Serdecznie dziękuję wam za modlitwy w mojej intencji. Proszę, by
święty Józef wspierał was swoją opieką, a szczególnie, by pomagał wypełnić
trudne zadania ojcom rodzin. Uczmy się od niego wiernej miłości Boga i drugiego
człowieka. Niech będzie pochwalony Jezus Chrystus.
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua polacca:
Saluto tutti i pellegrini polacchi qui presenti. L’altro
ieri abbiamo festeggiato solennità di San Giuseppe. Come sapete Lui è anche il
mio patrono, per questo Vi ringrazio cordialmente per le preghiere che avete
fatto per me. Prego che San Giuseppe vi sostenga e vi protegga e, in modo
particolare, aiuti i padri di famiglia a nella loro impegnativa missione.
Impariamo da Lui ad essere fedeli nell’amore di Dio e del prossimo. Sia lodato
Gesù Cristo.
Saluto in lingua slovacca:
Zo srdca pozdravujem slovenských pútnikov: osobitne
Slovenskú katolícku misiu v Ríme a Asociáciu Slov-Ital Forum, ako aj
seminaristov Grécko-katolíckeho kňazského seminára blaženého Pavla Gojdiča v
Prešove. Bratia a sestry, vaša púť ku hrobom svätých apoštolov nech vás naplní
novým zápalom na ceste evanjeliového svedectva. Rád žehnám vás a vaše rodiny.
Pochválený buď Ježiš Kristus!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua slovacca:
Saluto di cuore i pellegrini slovacchi: in particolare
la Missione Cattolica Slovacca in Roma e l’Associazione Slov-Ital Forum, come
pure i seminaristi dal Seminario greco-cattolico di beato Pavol Gojdič a
Prešov. Fratelli e sorelle, il vostro pellegrinaggio alle tombe dei santi
apostoli vi riempia di un nuovo zelo sulla via della testimonianza evangelica.
Volentieri benedico voi e le vostre famiglie. Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
* * *
Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto ai pellegrini di lingua
italiana. In particolare saluto i fedeli delle Diocesi della Sardegna,
convenuti con i loro Vescovi, che in questi giorni compiono la Visita “ad
Limina Apostolorum”. Cari amici, nella recente Esortazione
Apostolica ho richiamato il valore dell’Eucaristia per la vita della
Chiesa e di ogni cristiano. Incoraggio anche voi ad attingere da questa
mirabile fonte la forza spirituale necessaria per mantenervi fedeli al Vangelo
e testimoniare sempre e dappertutto l'amore di Dio. E voi, cari Fratelli
nell'Episcopato, "facendovi modelli del Gregge" (1 Pt 5, 3)
non stancatevi di condurre i fedeli affidati alle vostre cure pastorali ad una
adesione personale e comunitaria sempre più generosa a Cristo.
Saluto poi i fedeli della diocesi di Parma,
presenti con il loro Pastore Mons. Cesare Bonicelli, ed auguro che questo
pellegrinaggio alle tombe degli Apostoli sia per ciascuno ricco di frutti
spirituali e pastorali a beneficio dell’intera Comunità diocesana. Saluto
inoltre i militari del 31° Reggimento Carri, di Altamura e gli alunni
della Scuola “Madre Bucchi”, di Milano.
Infine, il mio saluto va ai giovani ai malati e agli sposi novelli. Nel clima spirituale della Quaresima, tempo di conversione e di riconciliazione, invito voi, cari giovani, a seguire l'esempio di Gesù, per essere fedeli annunciatori del suo messaggio salvifico. Incoraggio voi, cari malati, a portare la vostra croce quotidiana, in stretta unione con Cristo Signore. Esorto, infine, voi, cari sposi novelli, a fare delle vostre famiglie delle comunità di ardente testimonianza cristiana.
Appello
Il 24 marzo prossimo si terrà la Giornata Mondiale per la lotta contro la Tubercolosi. Possa tale ricorrenza favorire un’accresciuta responsabilità nella cura di tale malattia ed una sempre più intensa solidarietà nei confronti di quanti ne soffrono. Su di loro e sulle loro famiglie invoco il conforto del Signore, mentre incoraggio le molteplici iniziative di assistenza che la Chiesa promuove in questo ambito.
© Copyright 2007 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
SOURCE : https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/it/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070321.html
JUSTIN. DEUXIÈME APOLOGIE. Ἀπολογία ὑπὲρ Χριστιανῶν πρὸς τὴν Ῥωμαίων Σύγκλητον. Traduction française : LOUIS PAUTIGNY. Oeuvre numérisée par Marc Szwajcer : http://remacle.org/bloodwolf/eglise/justin/apologie2.htm
Voir aussi : http://www.patristique.org/Justin-martyr-Dialogue-avec.html
http://www.samizdat.qc.ca/vc/pdfs/Apologetique_justin.pdf