apologists Flashcards
describe Justin martyrs background and conversion to christianity
pagan background his first philosophy teacher was stoic but left due him teaching nothing about God next was an Aristotelian thirdly a pythagorean and lastly a follower of plato
an old man encountered Justin whilst he was mediating to which in their conversation about philosophy the man said christ came who is the truth to which from then on Justin regarded christianity as the true philosophy
who was Justins first apology sent to and why
adressed to the emperor Pius, the senate and roman people because he felt the christians had been unfairly treated and abused therefor it was a plea to the romans to be fair
what two headings are in Justins 1st apology
1: an appeal for justice in the treatment of christians
2: presentation and defence of christianity
describe the heading an appeal for justice in Justins first apology
charges against christians should be verified before any conviction takes place
christians should not be punished merely for being christian
he points out christians are not atheist as they worship the one true God and they pray for the emperor but not to him
describe the heading a presentation and defence of christianity in Justins first apology
he affirms christians don’t take part in any sexual immorality magic or racism Justins shows this by providing detailed description of christian worship
Justin uses old testament prophecies as evidence for the truth of christianity as he believed it showed clear predictions on the life and resurrection of Christ
argues christianity is not a new religion and has been around more many years
who was Justins second apology sent to and why
addressed to the roman senate and the emperor because some christians had been persecuted unjustly by the prefect urbicus
describe Justins second apology
he says christ is the truth
philosophers only know some of the truth so they contradict each other whereas christ brought the truth
christians don’t fear death and so this shows they are innocent of any crimes
appeals for public ignorance about christianity to be dispelled as he wanted the idea christians were morally corrupt to be refuted
what is the dialogue with trypho by Justin Martyr
dialogue arguing that both christ and christianity were predicted in the jewish scriptures the aim was to defend the morality of christianity in the eyes of pagans useful today as helps us understand the relation between christianity and judaism
what are the three main themes in the dialogue with trypho
the law
christ
the gentiles
what does the dialogue say about the law
trypho says how christians have reacted the law of Old Testament to which Justin says how its been replaced by the new covenant through the coming of christ
Justin also points out that some of the OT laws were given because of peoples sins but now christ has come he is the way to redemption
what does the dialogue say about Christ
Justin tells trypho that the law proves christ is God and that it predicted his future coming swell Justin attempts to convince trypho Christ is the fulfilment of the Old Testament
trypho states how the messiah should be a great military leader and not die on a cross to which Justin says christ had to endure the shame of that due to mankinds sins
what does the dialogue say about the gentiles
Justin tells trypho the conversion of gentiles was predicted by the ld testament prophets such as Micah and that christians are the true Israel as was foretold by prophets
what are the 4 arguments Justin used to respond to slander from the general public and pagan intellects
political arguments
moral arguments
philosophical arguments
theological arguments
describe Justins political arguments
christians were suspected of being politically disloyal due to their refusal to worship Romes gods earning them the name atheists but Justin argues christians worship the one true God
while worshipping God alone they prey for and obey the emperor and pay tax Justin states “therefor to God alone we render worship but In other things we gladly obey you”
describe Justins moral arguments
Justin says christians are morally good people compared to pagans as they aren’t guilty in taking part in sexual immorality and aren’t guilty of charges put against them like cannabalism
Justin gave accounts of christian meeting and ceremonies to disprove the notion christians engaged in immoral practises
describe justins philosophical arguments
Justins role as an apologist was to defend the claim christianity was the best philosophy his main apologetic weapon in defending christianity was his use of the logos concept (word or reason)
Justins use of the logos concept enabled him to argue that any wisdom that was found in greek philosophy came from the son of God who was the logos
describe Justins theological arguments
Justin refers to the fact christ has been prophesied about in the OT therefor christianity isn’t a new religion
he states “ it is possible for everyone to understand that christ is the new law and the new covenant”
in this argument Justin responds to challenges from judaism and heretical christianity
how did the apologists defend and define the new faith in relation to the emerging judaism
apologists represent an important link between jewish and gentile christianity to bring them to christianity
how did the apologists bring headlines to christianity by relating christianity to greek philosophy
first christian writers to relate christianity to greek philosophy thus demonstrating intellectual validity we see this through Justins use of logos concept providing a comprehensive christian explanation of wisdom in all cultures
the work of Justin martyr provide value due to his early accounts of christian worship and ceremonies true?
yes, by giving accounts of early christian Sunday worship and baptismal services we can preform these ceremonies today like the early church fathers once did
how does atheism attack religious faith today (human experience)
Atheists often advocate for secularism: keeping religion out of public policy, education, and law which restricts religious influence in life and effect laws on abortion, euthanasia and marriage
this is the case in France today
how is religion attacked through the use of technology suppression
the Chinese government has succeeded in reducing the attractiveness of christianity due to the communist parties strong disproval of religion through heightened propaganda and disinformation
media has also played a part in painting false narratives about christianity throughout the west (e.g its a hate fuelled religion)
