1. What was it about nonbelievers' attitudes
Shepherd's Notes, The Writings of Justin Martyr
"NU COMMENTARY
Closing Argument. In this final passage, Justin closed his plea for a fair hearing, for the debate on Christianity's superiority over paganism, the deficiencies in mythology, the pantheon of deities, and other philosophical systems. He said no more about Christian life and death, of the importance that believers die well. He summed up his arguments with a concise statement of conviction borne of personal experience: Philosophy finds its completion in Christ.
In the final analysis, Justin's concept of logos, that unexplainable expression of Almighty God in His Son, the Christ, is the key that unlocks
His message. Whether from Platonistic thought, Middle Platonism, Philo, Stoicism, the apostle
John, or through the working out of his own theological and philosophical experience, this understanding of Christ as the Eternal Sower of righteousness is perhaps Justin's most lasting contribution to Christian theology. Seldom has one man shaped the history of a people as has this thoughtful teacher.
QUESTIONS TO GUIDE YOUR STUDY
1. What was it about nonbelievers' attitudes toward Christianity that was most difficult for Justin to swallow? Do you have any of these concerns?
2. How did Justin Martyr's experience as a philosopher shape his thinking theologically? Can you pinpoint areas where one informed the other?
3. What is the danger of letting experience dictate/judge theological understanding?