By JUDE DOUGHERTY
“Philosophy is one’s greatest possession, and is most precious in the sight of God to whom it alone leads us and to whom it unites us, and in truth they who have applied themselves to philosophy are holy men.”
Those are the words of Justin Martyr, who lived from about AD 100 to 160. He goes on to say, “Man cannot have prudence without philosophy and straight thinking. Thus every man should be devoted to philosophy and should consider it the greatest and most noble pursuit. All other pursuits are only secondary and third unless connected to philosophy.”
Justin was a pagan philosopher who, after a fascinating intellectual journey, converted to Christianity. Subsequent to his conversion he continued to work as a philosopher, using his intellectual prowess to interpret the basic doctrines of the faith, and then defending that faith in dialogue with his pagan and Hebrew contemporaries.
Three original texts have been preserved through history, thanks to copies transmitted within a 14th-century manuscript. Two are known as the First Apology and the Second Apology. The third, the most famous, is Justin’s Dialogue With Trypho. The dialogue took place over two days at Ephesus about AD 135. The conversation is reported by Justin as having taken place while the two were walking among the colonnades of the Gymnasium.
Trypho, a Jewish layman, complimenting Justin, says that he was taught by the Corinthians never to ignore or slight those who wear the philosopher’s gown. Justin replies, “Can you [really] gain as much from philosophy as from your own Law Giver and the Prophets?” Trypho responds, yes, but “do not philosophers speak of God, his unity and providence, about an incorporeal soul and immortality?” The dialogue goes on.
Justin shows himself to be conversant with the major philosophical currents of his day, displaying knowledge of the Stoics, the Peripatetics, Pythagoreans, Platonists, and the Academic Skeptics. He was well acquainted with the writings of his prominent contemporaries Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. He had a similar command of the Hebrew Scriptures and of the Gospels. His own thought has been described as eclectic, but as one heavily influenced by what scholars today call “Middle Platonism.”
Platonism attracted Justin because it provides a compelling account of immaterial reality, “with God as its supreme principle, and a material reality that is providentially ordered to God,” to whom homage should be paid.
There were theologians before him, but Justin may be described as the first philosopher to analytically examine the Gospels and the practices of the Early Church. Those doctrines and practices are the foundation of the Catholic faith, and Justin’s commentaries remain as pertinent today as when they were written. He is rightly called a father of the Church and a martyr. Refusing to abandon his Christianity to worship the gods of the state, he was executed on orders issued by the Roman prefect, Junius Rusticus. Today he is venerated as St. Justin Martyr.
Early in the Dialogue With Trypho, Justin speaks of his mysterious conversion to Christianity. On one of his daily walks, he enters into a conversation with a stranger identified simply as an Old Man. As a result of that conversation Justin becomes convinced that Christian belief is not groundless, that it can rationally be embraced. Later in the dialogue, after Justin explains the tenets of his newly found faith, Trypho says, “The precepts of the Gospels are so wonderful and so great that I suspect no one can keep them.”
Trypho later accuses Justin of expecting good things from God without obeying His commandments. “You perform none of the things which they do who fear God.” Justin acknowledges that Christians do not live in accord with Jewish law — that they do not circumcise and observe the Sabbath as Jews do. Yet “we do not think that there is one God for us and another for you. There is no other but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Justin goes on to proclaim that the New Covenant proclaimed by Christ supersedes the Old Law. He claims that Jews violate the eternal law and ill-interpret the Law of Moses. Refusing to acknowledge the divinity of Christ supported by the miracles He wrought, Justin, quoting Jeremiah, says, “Your ears are closed, your eyes blinded, and your heart is hardened….Circumcise the foreskin of your heart as the words of God proclaimed by Isaiah demand.”
Powerful words, indeed, but there are more to follow. The dialogue continues, with Justin at great length using the prophetic voice of Isaiah to show that Christ is undoubtedly the Messiah. For those who have not read him lately, Isaiah is worth revisiting.
It is too late to recommend the Dialogue for Advent reading, but not too late to call attention to the Catholic University of America Press paperback edition for Lenten reading.
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