Living from 100-165, Justin Martyr was an early Christian philosopher who is most famous for writing the First Apology in 155. He is referred to as Justin “Martyr” because he was executed under Emperor Marcus Aurelius for defying the Roman government.
His book First Apology was not an actual apology, as in an explanation freeing one from fault or blame, rather it was meant as an intellectual defense addressed to the Emperor and his sons and was also designed to persuade them to stop the persecution of the Christian faith. By using rhetoric to defend his theology, Justin’s message was that: Christians are morally superior and more rational than pagans and God can impose greater negative sanctions on pagans, than pagans can to Christians.
Demanding justice, Justin stated that Christians are not afraid of being executed. Instead, Justin wanted the Emperor to “judge us by our deeds” and act with reason rather than utilize pagan customs. He also warned the Emperor that when a Christian is condemned, he loses nothing because he will go to heaven after death, so by condemning a Christian to death, you will receive eternal punishment. Telling him that he should fear hell, Justin was not scared of the Emperor, and even presented a list of why pagans are morally inferior to Christians: We do not worship animals, kill unwanted infants, nor do we take advantage of abandoned children.
Justin cited Old Testament passages about the judgement of Israel by Christ and Christ as the judge of nations, adding that the Romans would pay for these actions if they failed to repent. Christ will judge all men, even emperors, even though the Romans regarded them as gods. The prophets also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. Justin explained that the ancient Greek poets like Plato, who the Romans regarded as great men, copied Moses’ writing and were misled by demons. Plato even copied Moses’ account of Creation. Exposing the demonic influence in Rome, Justin even taught that Roman rituals like washings are an inversion of baptism, as baptism is a form of illumination unlike the Roman rituals. Justin challenged the Emperor to rule justly and warned of God’s sovereignty, saying that although he ruled the world, there is always a Higher Law: God’s. The Kingdom of God is not human and it cannot be replaced. Not being a plea for mercy, Justin’s apology was a demand for justice and a public call to resistance by Christians. Justin’s aim was to persuade the Christians to obey the law and not submit to idolatry, while also confessing Christ publicly.