← LineageEra Spotlight for · Monday, 20 May 2024
This week
Apologists
AD 130 – 200 · Christians defending the faith in writing to pagans and heretics.
Once Christianity got big enough that emperors and philosophers had to take notice, it had to learn to argue back. The Apologists are the first Christians to write for outsiders — addressing emperors directly, refuting pagan philosophy on its own terms, taking the gnostic and Marcionite heresies apart line by line.
Why it matters
- ·Christianity is publicly defensible philosophy, not a mystery cult.
- ·Apostolic succession of bishops is the test of authentic teaching (Irenaeus).
- ·Gnosticism — secret saving knowledge, evil creator — is heresy.
- ·The four-gospel canon is fixed (Irenaeus: 'four gospels, no more, no less').
Justin Martyr
100–165
Greek philosopher converted to Christianity who wrote two Apologies and the Dialogue with Trypho. Taught in Rome and was martyred under Marcus Aurelius c. 165.
Melito of Sardis
110–180
Bishop of Sardis, author of Peri Pascha (On the Pascha) and an Apology to Marcus Aurelius. Quartodeciman in his Easter observance.
T
Tatian the Assyrian
120–180
Disciple of Justin Martyr in Rome; author of the Diatessaron (Gospel harmony) and the Oratio ad Graecos. Later associated with the Encratite movement.
Theophilus of Antioch
120–184
Sixth bishop of Antioch; author of the three books Ad Autolycum, the earliest Christian work to use the term 'Trinity' (trias).
Daily reading
Book of the day
Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Anthony the GreatA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. Short sayings from Egyptian monasticism: memorable, strange, practical, and easy to read in small doses.
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