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.
Highlights
- Main contribution
- Justin walked into the Roman intellectual world and argued that Christianity could answer it on its own terms.
- Best first read
- First and Second Apology
- Primary source
- Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 4.16-18
Justin walked into the Roman intellectual world and argued that Christianity could answer it on its own terms. He had studied philosophy before conversion, then wrote to emperors and educated pagans explaining why worshipping Christ was not superstition, atheism, or sedition. That move matters: Christian apologetics became more than denunciation, because Justin showed how to engage Plato, Stoicism, Roman law, Jewish scripture, and martyrdom in the same argument. He died for the faith he tried to make intelligible.
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
First and Second Apologies
Justin MartyrA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. The classic first stop for Christians explaining their faith before emperors, philosophers, and pagan Rome.
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