Who was Justin Martyr?

Answer

Justin (approximately AD 100–165) was a Christian teacher, writer, and ultimately a martyr. He was a native of Samaria who moved to Ephesus to study philosophy in his quest for truth. Justin was impressed by the integrity of Christians who were martyred for their faith. One day while walking and contemplating, he encountered an elderly man who challenged his thoughts and shared the gospel with him. Justin embraced the faith.

Justin interpreted Christianity through a philosophical perspective. He regarded Christianity as philosophy refined and perfected—the true philosophy. He relocated to Rome where he served as a teacher and writer. Due to the risks associated with public preaching at the time, Justin conducted private lectures for those interested in learning about the faith. He is renowned for his literary works. While three writings are credited to him, some scholars question the authenticity of one of them (Second Apologies).

Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho involves a discourse with a Jewish individual concerning the supremacy of Christ and Christianity. Trypho raises objections, and Justin responds to them. (Some view Trypho as an actual historical rabbi, while others believe Trypho is a fictional character used by Justin as a literary tool.) Trypho disputes that Christians worship a man. Justin illustrates references to Christ in Jewish Scriptures. Justin defends the Incarnation and introduces the concept that the Church represents the True People of God and that the Old Covenant is fading. Through his Dialogue, Justin offers valuable insights into how early Christians interpreted the Old Testament.

Justin Martyr’s First Apologies (or simply Apologies) is directed towards the Roman Emperor Antonius Pius. It presents Christian beliefs in the context of contemporary Greek philosophy. Justin stresses that Jesus is the incarnate Logos, as referenced in John 1:1, given that Logos was a commonly understood concept.Good Greek philosophical concept. Justin believed that any person who lived in accordance with the logos was a Christian, whether that person knew it or not. Socrates was thus a “Christian” before Christ, in much the same way that Abraham was. Apologies were provoked by the persecution of Christians and attempted to clear away popular misconceptions about Christianity.

From Justin Martyr’s writings, we gain early descriptions of Christian worship services and the Eucharist. We observe that the Jewish elements of Christianity were diminishing. Additionally, Justin opposed the early heresies of Gnosticism, Docetism, and Marcionism.

In 165, Justin and some of his followers were arrested for their faith. In response to threats of death, Justin is reported to have said, “If we are punished for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we hope to be saved.” He was beheaded during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, son of Antonius Pius, and later became known as Justin Martyr.