Another good question from Trypho

In chapter 87 Trypho asks another of his good questions. Basically he wants to know how Justin can claim that Christ is pre-existent and at the same time apply Isaiah 11:1 to him, if this verse suggests that the root of Jesse has yet to receive "the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and piety: and the spirit of the fear of the Lord shall fill Him".

For once, Justin gives a straight (not short chs 87-89!) answer and avoids patronizing Trypho. For Justin this means not that Christ needed these gifts; but rather that they find their fulfilment in him. Rather more controversially he argues in chapter 89 that the descent of the Spirit on Christ when he was baptised was not for his sake, but for the sake of the faith of humans.

Two significant theological points to make are:

(i) Justin sees the "charismatic" spiritual gifts as still being in operation, and women being recipients of such gifts alongside men.
(ii) Justin understands both angels and humans as having free will, and that they receive blessing or punishment according to how they exercise this free will.

Justin on the Eucharist

After one of his rants on deceiving demons in chapter 64, in chapters 65-66 Justin describes the Christian eucharist. Some points:

(1) Justin does seem to see some relationship between works and salvation.
(2) The wine is mixed with water.
(3) Justin points again to receiving this teaching from the apostles.

One major question is what does Justin believe happens to the bread and the wine? What does he mean when he says "not as common bread and common drink do we receive these"? Although transubstantiation or consubstantiation fit this passage well, it is also possible, though less likely that he saw identifying the body and blood of Christ in the elements as an act of faith.

Justin on Baptism

Chapter 61 introduces Justin's teaching on Christian baptism. Some key features:

(1) Baptism of those who are persuaded and believe
(2) Baptism associated with regeneration
(3) Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
(4) Claim that this tradition is handed down from the apostles.

Ignatius' concluding theology...

Ignatius ends his letter with another rant at false teachers, who will end up in everlasting fire, (chapter 17) and their false doctrine which is described as a false odour (chapter 18). In comparison to this we have Jesus Christ, who is presented as the knowledge of God.

As is suitable for such an admirer of Paul, Ignatius then proceeds to glory in the cross of Christ, which is a source of salvation and eternal life. His brief summary of the life of Jesus ends with the enigmatic statement that Jesus, through his passion, purified the waters of his baptism.

Chapter 20 then lists 3 mysteries which Ignatius believes were hidden from Satan but now revealed: the virginity of Mary, her son, and the cross of Christ.