CLARETIAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
MARYLAND, NEKEDE, OWERRI IMO STATE, NIGERIA.
NAME: OGBENYI IKE JAMES
REG NO: NOT GIVEN YET (Direct entry)
LEVEL: 200
COURSE TITLE: MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY PHIL 209
DEPARTMENT: PHILOSOPHY
LECTURER: PROFESSOR EJIOGU E. AMAKU
TOPIC: COMPARE JUSTIN MARTYR AND TERTULLIAN ARGUMENT ON THE USE OF
PHILOSOPHY IN CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
DATE: 26th NOVEMBER ,2024.
OUTLIINE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. BRIEF HISTORY OF JUSTIN MARTYR AND TERTULLIAN
1.2. DEFIN
2.0. THE ARGUMENTS
2.1 JUSTIN MARTYR'S ARGUMENT
2.2. TERTULLIAN ARGUMENT
3.0. COMPARISON BETWEEN JUSTIN MARTYR'S ARGUMENT AND TERTULLIAN ARGUMENT ON
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
3.1 ATTITUDE TOWARDS PHILOSOPHY
3.2. FAITH AND REASON
3.3 USE OF PHILOSOPHY UN APOLOGETICS
3.4 COMMON GROUND
. IS 3
4.0. CONCLUSION
5.0 REFERENCES
1.1. INTRODUCTION
"In the formative years of Christianity, early theologians grappled with the challenge of integrating their
faith with the prevailing intellectual traditions of the Greco-Roman world. While some saw philosophy as
a valuable tool for articulating and defending Christian doctrine, others viewed it as a source of
corruption and heresy. Among the most prominent voices in this debate were Justin Martyr and
Tertullian, whose divergent perspectives reveal the complexity of early Christian engagement with
philosophy. Through this comparison, we gain insight into the broader debate over the integration of
faith and reason in early Christian theology."
BRIEF HISTORY OF THESE PHILOSPHERS
JUSTIN MARTYR ( 100 – 165 AD)
Justin was an early Christian apologist and philosopher, often regarded as one of the most important
Christian thinkers of the 2nd century. Born in Flavia Neapolis (modern-day Nablus in the West Bank), he
was a pagan philosopher, deeply influenced by Greek philosophy but got converted to Christianity and
sought to defend and explain the faith through reason. His renowned writings was the First Apology
and Second Apology, arguing for the innocence of Christians and defending Christian teachings. He also
wrote Dialogue with Trypho, defending Christianity against Jewish criticisms. Justin died as a martyr in
Rome for his faith.
TERTULLIAN (155 – 240 AD)
Tertullian was an early Christian writer, theologian, and apologist from Carthage (modern-day Tunisia).
He is considered one of the most influential Christian thinkers of the 2nd and 3rd centuries and is known
for his contributions to the development of Christian doctrine, especially on the Trinity, the nature of
Christ, and Christian ethics. He was originally trained in rhetoric and law, and he became a Christian later
in life. Some of his most notable works include:. Apology – on the defense of christains , Against Praxeas
– A work in which he defended the doctrine of the Trinity. On the Soul – A treatise on the nature of the
soul..
He is credited with coining several important theological terms, including Trinity ("Trinitas") and
substance ("substantia") and his called the "father of Christianity " due to his pertinent contributions.
However, Tertullian associated with the Montanist movement, a heretical sect which emphasized
prophetic revelations and a strict moral code, and this marked a shift in his theological outlook. Despite
this, his earlier works continue to be highly regarded in Christian theology.
JUSTIN MARTYR'S ARGUMENT.
His argument on the Christian message in the First Apology and Dialogue with Trypho are;
1. Christianity as the True Philosophy:
Justin Martyr argued that Christianity is the fulfillment of true philosophy. He believed that the Greek
philosophers, particularly Socrates, had glimpsed parts of the truth but that Christianity, through the
revelation of Christ, contained the fullness of wisdom. He viewed Christ as the "Logos" (Divine Word)
who existed from the beginning and was present in the teachings of the philosophers, but was fully
revealed in Jesus.
2. Jesus as the Logos:
Justin emphasized that Jesus Christ was the incarnation of the Logos, the rational principle through
which God created and ordered the universe. For Justin, the Logos was not a mere human teacher but
the divine Word that had existed from all eternity and became flesh in Jesus.
3. Christianity and Fulfillment of Prophecy:
Justin also argued that the Christian message was the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. In his Dialogue
with Trypho, a conversation between Justin and a Jew named Trypho, he presents Jesus as the Messiah
foretold in the Old Testament, refuting Jewish claims that Jesus was not the Messiah. Justin pointed to
specific prophecies, such as those in Isaiah and the Psalms, to argue that Jesus' life, death, and
resurrection were the fulfillment of God's promises.
4. Defense Against Roman Misunderstanding:
In his First Apology, Justin defended Christians against Roman accusations that they were atheists,
immoral, and subversive. He argued that Christians worshiped the true God, not idols, and lived virtuous
lives. He appealed to the emperor and the Senate, asking for legal protection for Christians, and
asserted that Christianity was not a threat to the Roman Empire but rather a force for good, promoting
morality and the worship of the one true God.
5. Christianity and the Universality of Salvation:
Justin argued that the Christian message was for all people, not just Jews or Romans, emphasizing that
the teachings of Christ transcended national and cultural boundaries. He believed that Christ’s message
was universal, offering salvation to everyone who accepted it.
6. Moral and Ethical Transformation:
Justin emphasized the ethical implications of the Christian message, highlighting the transformative
power of Christianity to change lives. Christians were called to live according to the teachings of Christ,
showing love, humility, and compassion even toward enemies. This moral transformation was a key part
of the testimony of Christians to the world.
TERTULLIAN ARGUMENT.
Tertullian, is famous for his skepticism about the use of philosophy in interpreting the Christian
message. His views are most famously summarized in his rhetorical question: "What has Athens to do
with Jerusalem?" This statement reflects Tertullian's belief that philosophy (represented by Athens, the
center of Greco-Roman intellectual life) and faith (represented by Jerusalem, the birthplace of
Christianity) are fundamentally incompatible. Here’s an outline of his argument:
1. Faith Over Reason:
Tertullian emphasized that Christian faith is based on divine revelation, not human reasoning. He viewed
philosophy as speculative and often at odds with the truth of Scripture. For Tertullian, faith provides
certainty, whereas philosophy leads to doubt and endless debate.
2. Philosophy Breeds Heresy:
He argued that philosophical speculation had been the root of heresies within the Christian church. For
example, he believed that Gnosticism and other heretical movements were heavily influenced by Greek
philosophical ideas, particularly Platonism and Stoicism. "These are the doctrines of men and of demons
produced for itching ears of the spirit of this world's wisdom: this the Lord called foolishness, and chose
the foolish things of the world to confound even philosophy itself." (De Praescriptione Haereticorum,
Chapter 7)
3. Incompatibility of Worldly and Divine Wisdom:
Tertullian saw philosophy as grounded in worldly wisdom, which he viewed as inherently flawed and
opposed to the wisdom of God. He pointed to Paul's epistles (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:20–25) to underscore
that God's wisdom often contradicts human reasoning.
4. Philosophy as Distracting
Tertullian believed that engaging with philosophy distracts Christians from the simplicity and purity of
the gospel. For him, Christianity required a direct, unmediated relationship with God, not intellectual
exercises.
COMPARISON BETWEEN JUSTIN MARTYR'S ARGUMENT AND TERTULLIAN ARGUMENT ON
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
1. Attitude Toward Philosophy
Justin Martyr: Philosophy as Preparation for the Gospel
Justin Martyr believed that Greek philosophy contained "seeds of the Word" (logos spermatikos)—
fragments of divine truth given by God to the philosophers to prepare humanity for the full revelation in
Christ. He argued that figures like Socrates and Plato had partially grasped the truth because they were
influenced by the divine Logos (which he equated with Christ). Thus, philosophy could lead people closer
to Christianity . For instance, Justin respected philosophers like Socrates for their search for truth,
suggesting that their ideas were incomplete but not wholly opposed to Christianity.
Tertullian: Philosophy as Dangerous and Distracting
Tertullian, by contrast, rejected the integration of philosophy and Christian doctrine. He viewed
philosophy as a source of heresies and as fundamentally incompatible with Christian faith.
For Tertullian, divine revelation through Scripture was superior to human reasoning. He argued that
philosophy often led to speculative ideas that corrupted the simplicity and purity of the gospel.For
instance, he criticized philosophical influences on heretical movements like Gnosticism, seeing them as
distortions of Christian truth.
2. Faith and Reason
Justin Martyr: Harmony Between Faith and Reason
Justin saw faith and reason as complementary. He argued that reason could help explain and defend the
Christian faith to a philosophical audience, especially in his apologetic writings aimed at Greco-Roman
intellectuals.He believed that Christianity was the fulfillment of the philosophical quest for truth and
justice.
Tertullian: Supremacy of Faith Over Reason
Tertullian placed faith above reason, emphasizing the limitations of human intellect when it came to
divine mysteries. He believed reason could not grasp the full depth of God’s revelation.
Tertullian famously declared, "I believe because it is absurd" (Credo quia absurdum est, though this
phrase is a paraphrase of his actual writings), underscoring his view that faith does not require
philosophical validation.
3. Use of Philosophy in Apologetics
Justin Martyr: Philosophy as a Bridge
Justin used philosophical concepts and methods in his apologetics to defend Christianity against pagan
critics and explain it to educated audiences. For instance, he adopted the Stoic and Platonic concept of
the Logos to describe Christ.
His approach helped make Christianity intellectually respectable in a Greco-Roman world steeped in
philosophical traditions.
Tertullian: Philosophy as a Barrier:
Tertullian used legal and rhetorical tools rather than philosophical ones in his apologetics. He saw little
value in accommodating Christianity to philosophical frameworks, as he believed they distracted from
the gospel’s transformative power.
4. Common Ground
Despite their differences, Justin and Tertullian shared some common concerns:
Both sought to defend Christianity against criticism from pagan intellectuals.
Both recognized the need to address philosophical challenges, though they responded in opposite ways
—Justin by engagement and adaptation, Tertullian by rejection.
Historical Impact
Justin’s approach influenced later thinkers like Clement of Alexandria and Augustine, who sought to
harmonize faith and reason.
Tertullian’s critique resonated with later anti-intellectual movements and helped preserve the emphasis
on divine revelation and faith.
CONCLUSION.
Justin Martyr and Tertullian contrasting views reflect an enduring tension in Christianity: the balance
between faith and reason in understanding and communicating divine truth. Justin Martyr saw
philosophy as a valuable ally to Christianity, while Tertullian viewed it as a dangerous adversary. The
debate reflects the broader tension in Christian thought between engaging with secular intellectual
traditions and preserving the distinctiveness of divine revelation.
REFERENCES
Justin Martyr. Dialogue with Trypho. Translated by Thomas B. Falls. The Catholic University of America
Press, 2003.
The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1. Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.Roberts, Alexander, James
Donaldson, and A. Cleveland
Prescription Against Heretics. In The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James
Donaldson.
Tertullian. On the Soul. In The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 3.
Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, by
Craig, William Lane
The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Vo1. By Pelikan, Jaroslav.
