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{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Justin Martyr 
[[Image:Justin_Martyr.jpg |thumb|center|Saint Justin Martyr]] |
subtopics = ''Works'' - [[First Apology]], [[Second Apology]], [[Discourse to the Greeks]], [[Hortatory Address to the Greeks]], [[On the Sovereignty of God]], [[The Psalmist]], [[On the Soul]], [[Dialogue with Trypho]] 
* [[Apologetics]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}} 

Justin Martyr (Justin of Caesarea) was an early Christian [[apologist]] (a person who defends the truth of Christianity). His works represent the earliest surviving Christian apologies of notable size. He lived from around 100 AD to 165 AD.

==Life==

Most of what is known about the life of Justin Martyr comes from his own writings. He was born at [[Flavia Neapolis]] (modern [[Nablus]]) in [[Palestine]]. The city had been founded by [[Vespasian]] in the aftermath of the destruction of [[Jerusalem]] in [[70 AD]]. According to church tradition Justin suffered martyrdom at [[Rome]] under Marcus Aurelius when Rusticus was prefect of the city (between [[162 AD|162]] and [[168 AD|168]]).

Justin Martyr called himself a Samaritan, but his father and grandfather were probably Greek or Roman, and he was brought up a [[pagan]]. It seems that he had property, studied philosophy, converted to [[Christianity]], and devoted the rest of his life to teaching what he considered the true philosophy, still wearing his philosopher's gown to indicate that he had attained the truth. He probably travelled widely and ultimately settled in Rome as a Christian teacher. While he was at Rome, he debated opponents of his belief, such as Crescens the Cynic. He was later executed in 165 A.D. for his no-compromise faith in Christianity.

==Writings==

The earliest mention of Justin is found in the Oratio ad Graecos by Tatian who called him "the most admirable Justin,". Tatian quoted a saying of his, saying that the Cynic Crescens laid snares for him. [[Irenaeus]] (Haer. I., xxviii. 1) spoke of his martyrdom, and of Tatian as his disciple; he quoted him twice (IV., vi. 2, V., xxvi. 2), and showed his influence in other places. Tertullian, in his Adversus Valentinianos, called him a philosopher and martyr, and the earliest antagonist of heretics. Hippolytus and Methodius of Olympus also wrote about him. Eusebius of Caesarea dealt with him at some length (Church History, iv. 18), and named the following works:

# The [[First Apology]] addressed to Antoninus Pius, his sons, and the Roman Senate;
# A [[Second Apology]] addressed to the Roman Senate;
# The [[Discourse to the Greeks]], a discussion with Greek philosophers on the character of their gods;
# A [[Hortatory Address to the Greeks]];
# A treatise [[On the Sovereignty of God]], in which he makes use of pagan authorities as well as Christian;
# A work entitled [[The Psalmist]];
# A treatise in scholastic form [[On the Soul]]
# The [[Dialogue with Trypho]]

==Quotes==


==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr Wikipedia - Justin Martyr]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Justin_Martyr Theopedia - Justin Martyr]

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