First and Second Apologies

by Justin Martyr

"First and Second Apologies" by Justin Martyr are key early Christian defenses against Roman criticism.

"First Apology": Justin addresses Emperor Antoninus Pius, defending Christianity from accusations of immorality and atheism, and advocating for fair treatment of Christians.

"Second Apology": This work continues the defense, focusing on the injustices Christians face and further explaining Christian ethics and teachings.

These texts provide a valuable glimpse into early Christian apologetics and the challenges of the time.

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Justin Martyr, also known as Saint Justin (c. 100–165 CE), 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.

Most of his works are lost, but two apologies and a dialogue did survive. The First Apology, his most well known text, passionately defends the morality of the Christian life, and provides various ethical and philosophical arguments to convince the Roman emperor, Antoninus, to abandon the persecution of the fledgling sect. Further, he also makes the theologically-innovative suggestion that the "seeds of Christianity" (manifestations of the Logos acting in history) actually predated Christ's incarnation. This notion allows him to claim many historical Greek philosophers (including Socrates and Plato), in whose works he was well studied, as unknowing Christians. (Wikipedia)