Justin Martyr
c. 100 – c. 165 · Flavia Neapolis, Samaria
Also known as Justin the Philosopher · Justinus
Feast: 1 June
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.
Justin is the first Christian who looked at Greek philosophy and said 'this is ours too.' Before him, Christians wrote to other Christians. Justin wrote to the Roman emperor explaining why a man who studied Plato and Stoicism for years became a follower of Jesus. That move — engaging the surrounding intellectual culture rather than just denouncing it — is the founding move of every Christian university, every C.S. Lewis-style apologist, every theologian who takes secular thinkers seriously. He died for the experiment.
Notable works
- ·First and Second Apology · 155
- ·Dialogue with Trypho · 160
Primary sources
- ·Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 4.16-18
- ·Justin, First Apology
- ·Acts of Justin and Companions
Book of the day
Three Treatises on the Divine Images
John of DamascusA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. The great defense of icons and a natural closing book for the patristic age.
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