Justin and the Sole Government of God

This short tract typifies Justin's love-hate relationship with his Greek heritage. On the one hand, he attacks Greek idolatry, but on the other hand this attack is mediated through Greek poets.

Again there is an interesting theological point to ponder. How much truth is there to his suggestion that it is in the poetry of other religions that we may yet find the truth concerning the One God still present, albeit in an oblique form?

Plato and Moses

Justin in chapter 59-60 seeks to develop the historically inaccurate argument that Plato read and was influenced by Moses. Although wrong, this argument is nonetheless interesting as it balances out the negative attitude to paganism expressed in the previous chapters.

Justin and the demons

In chapters 54-58 we have Justin present his rather interesting take on spiritual warfare. For Justin similarities between paganism and Christianity come because demons have sought to cause confusion and launch what could best be described as a pre-emptive strike. Demons are also behind the persecution of the church, and also for raising heretics such as Marcion.

In between, Justin claims that demons have failed to replicate the cross, the structure of which God has placed in many areas of creation.

Prophecy ctd...

Chapters 46-50 continue Justin's theme of Old Testament prophecy being fulfilled in Christ. Of particular significance is the claim that the Word was in the world before the birth of Jesus so that every race in the world can be seen as partakers of the Word. Another enigmatic claim, as regards Justin's christology, is his reference to an "ineffable origin" of Christ.

Free Will and Determinism

Chapters 44-45 lead Justin to deal with the issue of free will, possibly because his stress on prophecy might lead to determinism.

Justin rejects determinism, as he sees it eroding moral accountability. For Justin, humans choose freely, and denies that God's knowledge of the future is linked to his decreeing what will happen. Rather God knows what will happen, but only decrees that virtue will be rewarded with recompense and vice with punishment. His vision on predestination is also made clear, as Justin claims that the return of Christ is delayed until those who are foreknown to be virtuous and good have their number complete.

Significantly, Justin ties this in with Plato's teaching, whilst making the claim that Plato was inspired by Moses in this sense. Although historically inaccurate, there may be a sense in which this is spiritually acceptable. If there is a seed of truth in all men, than it is not mistaken to follow Justin and say that this comes from the same Spirit that inspired Moses.