#289 Justin Martyr’s Apologia

Program #289 “Justin’s Apologia” – 5/14/2017– Synopsis

This week’s program is about both church history and Christian political action. All of the early church fathers, at some point in their ministry, wrote a defense for the Christian faith for the Romans. The heart of evangelism is “being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). The word “defense” used in this text is the word “apologia” from where we get the term and ministry of apologetics.

In AD 150, Justin Martyr wrote to the emperor of Rome a defense for Christian faith and morals. Since Justin was doing exactly what Christians are involved in today, we could probably learn a few things from his work. Sometime the best way to understand one’s situation is to compare it with similar times in the past. For example, Justin could write that the Christians were the best people in the empire. The upright life of the Christian was the best defense for the faith. I wonder if the Christian community can make the same claim today.

I am confident that you will be challenged and encouraged by the main truths I summarize from Justin Martyr’s Apologia.

Scripture References: 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Titus 1:9-11; Ecclesiastes 10:4; Proverbs 28:1