Justin Martyr - Justin Martyr Biography by Robert King

Excerpt from The Life, Personality and Letters of Justin Martyr from the series Justin Martyr: The Man and His Theology by Robert King.

Justin Martyr was born approximately A.D. 100, near the end of the apostolic age. He declared that he was "the son of Priscus and grandson of Bacchius, natives of Flavia Neapolis in Palestine."[1] Flavia Neapolis was founded in A.D. 72, but was formerly a Samaritan village named Mabartha. Justin himself may have been born in Flavia Neapolis as well, but we cannot be sure since he does not say this. Yet, we can probably assume that he was born and raised in Samaria, for he identified himself as a Samaritan, calling them his people.[2] He was uncircumcised and, therefore, probably a gentile pagan.[3]

In his pursuit for truth about God, Justin ventured on a philosophical quest through several schools of philosophy before finally embracing Christianity. The account of his martyrdom has Justin proclaiming "I have endeavored to learn all doctrines; but I have acquiesced at last in the true doctrines, those namely of the Christians."[4]

Justin arrived at a point in his studies in which he wished to "be filled with great quietness" and to shun the path of other men. He would venture out regularly to a quiet field close to the sea to be by himself. One day while close to arriving at that spot, he found himself being followed in the distance by an old man. Justin had not expected to see anyone, and the old man was actually looking for some of his missing household. The two began a conversation.

The old man (a Christian) and Justin ventured into a philosophical discussion about philosophy itself which then focused on the knowledge of God. This conversation appears to have been a long one, and probably extended into hours rather than minutes. Nevertheless, it was his only conversation with this old man and he never saw him again. Yet, the effect of this Christian's persuasive presentation of the truth in Christ left a lasting impact on Justin that would change his life forever. Justin wrote:

But 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 whilst revolving his words in my mind, I found this philosophy alone to be safe and profitable. Thus, and for this reason, I am a philosopher. (Dialogue 8)[5]

Though this old man's discussion is what ignited an immediate and powerful longing for the truth of Christ in Justin's soul, there was another factor leading to this conversion as well. Justin writes:

For I myself, too, when I was delighting in the doctrines of Plato, and heard the Christians slandered, and saw them fearless of death, and of all other things which are counted fearful, perceived that it was impossible that they could be living in wickedness and pleasure. For what sensual or intemperate man, or who that counts it good to feast on human flesh, could welcome death that he might be deprived of his enjoyments, and would not rather continue always the present life, and attempt to escape the observation of the rulers; and much less would he denounce himself when the consequence would be death? (2 Apology 12)

This description above most certainly was prior to the conversation with the old man since he is still "delighting in the doctrines of Plato" and seems unaware of Christianity's true practices. Justin appeared to be using his logic to observe that the rumors of Christian cannibalism and other acts of immorality were most likely false because of the selfless actions of the Christians in the face of death. It was these observations that first prepared him for the persuasive conversation of the old man.

The conversion of Justin probably took place when he was about 30 years of age, and it was one of both demonstration and persuasion. The Christian fearlessness of death was something that moved Justin to both intellectual contemplation and genuine admiration, while the persuasive dialogue of the old man ignited his soul with a passion of having found the truth. Both of these factors not only contributed to his conversion, but would be instrumental in shaping his life and his theology. Justin would live his life in the expectation of the Christian martyrdom he admired and he would develop his theology along very similar lines with that taught to him by the elderly man.

Though Justin became a Christian, it must be understood that he never abandoned philosophy itself, but instead believed that Christianity was the true philosophy. Even after becoming a Christian, Justin still considered himself a philosopher and even wore a philosopher's robe. His grand quest was not abandoned, but rather completed with great success. At last he had found the objective truth he sought about God.

During his life, Justin wrote several works that were to become a significant influence upon later generations of Christians. Some of the writings of Justin still exist today, including The First Apology of Justin, The Second Apology of Justin, and the Dialogue with Trypho. He also spent quite some time attempting to persuade others of the truth in Christ, including Jews and Cynics. We also know that he was somewhat of a religious teacher, providing instruction and inspiration to other Christians.

As a Christian, Justin seems to have lived his life in constant expectation of martyrdom. In his writings, he spoke of it often and even predicted that it would be his fate. It is almost as if he was determined to die for Christ and had accepted this as his ultimate destiny. It was the one action Justin considered as the supreme testimony of a Christian's faith. It would be the culmination of his life, the supreme sacrifice of self for God. What he first observed with great admiration as a mere spectator would now be his own end while others witnessed his testimony to Christ in his martyrdom. Justin was no longer the observer, but the one upon whom others would gaze with wonder as they pondered his fearlessness in the face of death. He was martyred around A.D. 165.

[1] 1 Apology 1.

[2] Dialogue 120.

[3] Dialogue 128.

[4] Martyrdom 1:5.

[5] Later in his life, while debating with the Jew Trypho, Justin was able to speak of the powerful impact the words of Christ have on others, which seems to somewhat echo this passage. He declared: “For the word of His truth and wisdom is more ardent and more light-giving than the rays of the sun, and sinks down into the depths of heart and mind” (Dialogue 121). He also describes believers from all nations who become believers as having been “pricked in their hearts,” which he describes as analogous to being pushed with the horns of an animal (Dialogue 91).