Apologists Flashcards
To whom is Justin writing “First Apology”? What is the occasion for this letter?
The emperor, philosophers, and Roman people.
His goal is to persuade these people to see Christianity as a logical and viable religion, similar but better to their own philosophical and religious views.
Whom exactly does Justin say Christians “worship and adore”?
- Father
- Son = came from father
- Army of angels
- Prophetic spirit
Justin provides another statement of his belief in 1Apol 13. Who is the object of Christian worship according to Justin in this section AND how does he differentiate them from each other?
- Maker of the Universe
- Jesus Christ, son of true God
- Prophetic Spirit
-Helpful because clearly states 3, problematic because there is a ranking/hierarchy but may not be the “naughty” kind
Justin provides a concise statement of his belief about Jesus Christ in the first sentence of 1Apol 21. What are the key points that he affirms?
First-begotten of God without sexual union teacher crucified and died rose again ascended into heaven
What is the benefit that comes to those “who have lived near God in holiness and virtue” and what is the detriment that comes to those “who live unjustly and do not change their ways”?
And we have been taught that only those are deified who have lived near to God in holiness and virtue; and we believe that those who live unjustly and do not change their ways are punished in eternal fire.
1 Apology 20-22 is a good example of the way in which the Apologists utilize Greek philosophy and mythology to substantiate Christian beliefs; how does Justin utilize them in these sections?
To prove that the stories of Jesus are similar but also better than philosophy and mythology.
Justin:
“And the ____ after God the Father and Master of all is ___, who is also ___; and of Him, in what follows we will tell ____. (1Apol 32)
first Power
the Word
Son
how He took
flesh and became man
According Justin, what (is it that) “having come upon the virgin overshadowed her, and caused her to conceive”?
the power of God
Justin quotes a paraphrase of Lk 1:31-32 and Mt 1:20-21 to support his understanding of the Incarnation. According to this quotation, however, Mary will “conceive in the womb” as a result of whose activity?
the Spirit and Power from God
• According to Justin, “the Spirit and the Power from God cannot, therefore be understood as anything else than” what?
Spirit = the Word
What is Athenagoras, Embassy for the Christians 10 a good example of…
Clear benign trinitarian hierarchy because there are 3 stated but no ranking
Athenagoras of Athens uses the notion of ranking to differentiate the Three from each other. What aspects of the statement marked in the text indicate that Athenagoras did not intend his ranking of the Three as an attribution of a lesser degree of divinity to any of the Three?
“hold God to be one”
“The Father and Son are one.”
“The Son being in the Father and the Father in the Son by the powerful union of the Spirit”
“proclaiming their power in unity and in rank their diversity?”
How does Theophilus of Antioch identify Wisdom?
Theophilus identifies Wisdom with HS; Jewish theology
