Mrs. Eddy Mentinoned Them June 22, 1957 Issue

Justin Martyr, 100(?)-165(?)

[Mentioned in Miscellaneous Writings, p. 344]

Justin Martyr , one of the best-known of the Christian apologists, was born in Samaria of heathen parents. Probably his father was a Greek. From his youth Justin sought the truth concerning God. He himself tells us that first he studied physics, logic, and ethics with a Stoic, but when he sought to know of the divine nature, he was told that knowledge of the Divine lies outside the realm of scientific knowledge.

Next he consulted an Aristotelian, but the latter's eagerness for his fee repelled Justin. The Pythagoreans' insistence on a knowledge of music, astronomy, and geometry as a preliminary to divine knowledge discouraged him. He found the most satisfaction with a Platonist until he was converted to Christianity.

Walking by the sea near Ephesus, Justin met an old man who told him that God had imparted the truth directly to certain men, notably Jesus. The old man urged Justin to pray "that the gates of Light may be opened to thee also; for these things can only be seen and known by those to whom God and his Christ have given understanding." In Justin's own words: "Straightway a flame was kindled in my soul; and a love of the prophets, and of those men who are friends of Christ, possessed me; and ... I found this philosophy alone to be safe and profitable. Thus, and for this reason, I am a philosopher."

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