Justin Martyr 100 AD – 165 AD
Justin Martyr was an early Christian apologist, the first Christian author known to have engaged Greek philosophy as a Christian. Born in Samaria, he sought wisdom among the Stoics, Peripatetics, Pythagoreans, and Platonists before converting to Christianity, which he came to regard as the true philosophy. His First and Second Apologies, addressed to the Roman emperors, defended Christian faith and practice against the prevailing pagan misunderstandings, while his Dialogue with Trypho is the earliest surviving Christian-Jewish disputation. He was martyred at Rome around 165.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Roman
- Era
- Ancient
- Movements
- Christian
Selected quotes
-
Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Whatever has been spoken truly belongs to us Christians.”
-
Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Christianity is the true philosophy.”
-
Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“He who lives by reason is a Christian, even if he is called an atheist.”
-
Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Reason is the seed of the divine Word in every man.”
-
Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Those who lived in accordance with reason are Christians, even if they were called atheists, like Socrates.”