Justin Martyr

Justin Martyr, also known as Justin the Philosopher and Saint Justin (c. 100 – 165 AD), was an early Christian apologist, and is regarded as the foremost interpreter of the theory of the Logos in the 2nd century. He was martyred, alongside some of his students, and is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Everyone who flees from what is superficially good and follows what is reckoned hard and foolish finds happiness awaiting him.

Quotes

• ...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.
  • First Apology, chap. xiv (trans. Marcus Dods)

• "If, therefore, any one makes the accusation, and furnishes proof that the said men [Christians] do anything contrary to the laws, you shall adjudge punishments in proportion to the offences. And this, by Hercules, you shall give special heed to, that if any man shall, through mere calumny, bring an accusation against any of these persons [Christians], you shall award to him more severe punishments in proportion to his wickedness."
  • The first apology of Justin, chapter LXVIII. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1. [Justin quotes from a letter of c122AD from the Emperor Hadrian to Minucius Fundanus. ANF1 footnote: "Generally credited as genuine."]

• The demons have always effected that all those who ever so little strived to live by logos and shun vice be hated.
  • Second Apology, in Readings in World Christian History (2013), p. 40

• Virtue, who was of squalid look and dress, said, if you obey me you will adorn yourself not with ornament nor beauty that passes away and perishes, but with everlasting and precious graces. And we are persuaded that everyone who flees from what is superficially good and follows what is reckoned hard and foolish finds happiness awaiting him. For Vice, veiling her actions in the beauties which properly belong to Virtue and are genuine, enslaves groveling people.
  • Second Apology, in Readings in World Christian History (2013), p. 42

• But yet, since He knew that it would be good, He created both angels and men free to do that which is righteous, and He appointed periods of time during which He knew it would be good for them to have the exercise of free-will; and because He likewise knew it would be good, He made general and particular judgments; each one’s freedom of will, however, being guarded.
  • Dialogue with Trypho, chapter CII. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1. [Cf chapter LXXXVIII.]

• For there is not one single race of men, whether barbarians, or Greeks, or whatever they may be called, nomads, or vagrants, or herdsmen living in tents, among whom prayers and giving of thanks are not offered through the name of the crucified Jesus.
  • Dialogue with Trypho, chapter CXVII. c160AD. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1. [ANF1 footnote: "Note this testimony to the ... Church in the second century...."]

• The Jews were behind all the persecutions of the Christians. They wandered through the country everywhere hating and undermining the Christian faith.
  • See Antichrist and the Tribe of Dan by Gerald Burton Winrod, Defender Publishers, 1933.