Difference between revisions of "Justin Martyr"
(explanation "apologies" as not regrets but Greek "apologia" explanations - link to Apologetics) |
(Major restructure and rework, adding references while preserving the message of previous works) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Justin Martyr.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The early church father Justin Martyr]] | [[File:Justin Martyr.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|The early church father Justin Martyr]] | ||
| − | '''Justin Martyr''' | + | '''Justin''' ([[Latin]]: Marcus Junianus Justinus Frontinus) was a second century author commonly known as '''Justin Martyr''' became a [[Christian]] apologist who was later [[martyr|martyred]] for his faith. His works flourished during the 3rd centuary remained vastly popular during the [[Medieval]] period providing us with over 200 source documents. |
| − | + | ==Works== | |
| + | ===Justin's History of the World=== | ||
| + | [[Justin's History of the World]] otherwise known as ''Epitome'' is understood to be an abridgement of [[Gnaeus Pompeius Trogus|Pompey Trogue's]] work ''Historiae Philippicae et totius mundi origines et terrae situs'' (otherwise known as ''Philippic Histories'') whose work compiled in the time of [[Augustus]] is now lost. But the work now preserved through ''Justin Martyr'' is considered important to students of the [[Hellenistic]] period due to its Macedonian and Parthian content. Some critics accuse the work of "colourless moralising"<ref>''Encyclopedia Britannica'', retrieved 2024-01-26<br>https://www.britannica.com/biography/Justin-Roman-historian</ref> While others suggest that the identities of Justin Martyr and the author of the histories may have been mistaken as the same.<ref>Chrisholm, Hugh, (ed. 1911) "Justin" ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', (11th Edition) Cambridge University Press</ref> | ||
| + | ===Dialogue with Trypho=== | ||
| + | Justin Martyr's [[Dialogue with Trypho]] can be sumarised as a debate between Justin Martyr and a [[Jew]] arguing that [[Christianity]] is the fulfillment of [[Judaism]]. | ||
| + | ===Apologies=== | ||
| + | In his "apologies" (from the Greek plural ''apologia'', singular ''apologion'', "[[Apologetics|explanations]]") to the emperor [[Antoninus Pius]] and the [[Roman Senate]], he argued that the truth found in Greek philosophy prefigured some of the teachings of [[Christ]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Life== | ||
| + | Very little is known about the life of Justin Martyr, with his name only ever appearing in the title of his work. But is generally accepted that he was a [[philosopher]] who had experimented with [[Stoicism]], [[Pythagoreanism]] and [[Platonism]] who accepted [[Christianity]] around 132 AD; this event being the result of a challenge to the [[Old Testament|Jewish scriptures]]. It is also generally understood that Justin Martyr traveled extensively throughout the [[Roman Empire]] before was beheaded for his faith around 165 AD at the behest of the emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]]. But this narrative is questioned by [[Sir Ronald Syme]] as he argues for a date for ''Justin's History of the World'' being around AD 390 after the publication of [[Augustan History]]. | ||
Revision as of 18:12, January 25, 2024
Justin (Latin: Marcus Junianus Justinus Frontinus) was a second century author commonly known as Justin Martyr became a Christian apologist who was later martyred for his faith. His works flourished during the 3rd centuary remained vastly popular during the Medieval period providing us with over 200 source documents.
Works
Justin's History of the World
Justin's History of the World otherwise known as Epitome is understood to be an abridgement of Pompey Trogue's work Historiae Philippicae et totius mundi origines et terrae situs (otherwise known as Philippic Histories) whose work compiled in the time of Augustus is now lost. But the work now preserved through Justin Martyr is considered important to students of the Hellenistic period due to its Macedonian and Parthian content. Some critics accuse the work of "colourless moralising"[1] While others suggest that the identities of Justin Martyr and the author of the histories may have been mistaken as the same.[2]
Dialogue with Trypho
Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho can be sumarised as a debate between Justin Martyr and a Jew arguing that Christianity is the fulfillment of Judaism.
Apologies
In his "apologies" (from the Greek plural apologia, singular apologion, "explanations") to the emperor Antoninus Pius and the Roman Senate, he argued that the truth found in Greek philosophy prefigured some of the teachings of Christ.
Life
Very little is known about the life of Justin Martyr, with his name only ever appearing in the title of his work. But is generally accepted that he was a philosopher who had experimented with Stoicism, Pythagoreanism and Platonism who accepted Christianity around 132 AD; this event being the result of a challenge to the Jewish scriptures. It is also generally understood that Justin Martyr traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire before was beheaded for his faith around 165 AD at the behest of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. But this narrative is questioned by Sir Ronald Syme as he argues for a date for Justin's History of the World being around AD 390 after the publication of Augustan History.
References
McDowell, Josh. Evidence for Christianity. Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2006.
- ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica, retrieved 2024-01-26
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Justin-Roman-historian - ↑ Chrisholm, Hugh, (ed. 1911) "Justin" Encyclopedia Britannica, (11th Edition) Cambridge University Press