Early Christian Beliefs About Apologetics

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

3. I venture, then, to say that this apology which you require me to compose will somewhat weaken that defense (of Christianity) which rests on facts, and that power of Jesus which is manifest to those who are not altogether devoid of perception.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

And we invite inquiry, not as though we wished to lead any to doubt regarding the truths of Christianity, but in order to show that it would be better for those who in every way revile the doctrines of Christianity, at any rate to suspend their judgment, and not so rashly to state about Jesus and His apostles such things as they do not know, and as they cannot prove, either by what the Stoics call apprehensive perception, or by any other methods used by different sects of philosophers as criteria of truth.

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Supporting witness

but, for the purpose of greater utility, the order must be reversed, and arguments in defense of it precede those concerning it.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...finally stop mocking it. Although Tertullian argued this same case fully in the treatise called the Apology, it is one thing to answer accusers, which consists only in defense or denial, and another thing to instruct, which is what we are doing, and in that the substance of the whole system must be included. Therefore I have not drawn back from this labor, so that I might complete the subject which Cyprian did not fully carry out in the discourse where he tries to refute Demetrianus, who, as he himself says, was insulting and shouting against the truth. Cyprian did not handle this subject as he should have. Demetrianus ought to have been refuted not by the testimonies of Scripture, which he clearly thought were empty, invented, and false, but by arguments and reason. For since Cyprian was arguing against a man who did not know the truth, he should for a time have set aside the divine readings. He should have trained this man from the beginning as someone completely ignorant, and shown him little by little the first beginnings of light, so that he would not be blinded by having all its brightness shown to him at once.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

Although Tertullian fully pleaded the same cause in that treatise which is entitled the Apology, yet, inasmuch as it is one thing to answer accusers, which consists in defense or denial only, and another thing to instruct, which we do, in which the substance of the whole system must be contained, I have not shrunk from this labour, that I might complete the subject, which Cyprian did not fully carry out in that discourse in which he endeavours to refute Demetrianus (as he himself says) railing at and clamouring against the truth.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

For it is in our power. But to make a defense for our faith is not universally necessary.

Tertullian, De Anima (On the Soul) Supporting witness

... by using arguments that both sides admit are valid, and that sometimes even fit with our system of belief. In this way, the truth has almost been shut out by the philosophers through the poisons with which they have infected it. Therefore, if we consider both kinds of mixing that I have just mentioned, and both are equally hostile to the truth, we see the urgent need to do two things. First, we must free the ideas that we hold in common with them from the philosophers' arguments. Second, we must separate the arguments that both sides use from the philosophers' own opinions. And we can do this by bringing every question back to God's inspired standard, except in simple cases that are free from the confusion of preconceived notions, where one may fairly accept mere human testimony. For sometimes we must borrow plain evidence of that kind even from opponents, when our opponents have nothing to gain from it. Now I am not unaware of how great a mass of writing the philosophers have gathered on this subject in their own commentaries. I know how many schools of thought there are, how many conflicts of opinion, how many rich sources of questions, and how many confusing methods of solvi

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

... came from Him. But if anyone asks, "Could God not have put Herod to death instead?" I preemptively answer: Couldn't God have simply removed the serpent at the beginning so it never existed, rather than saying, "And I will put enmity between him and the woman, and between his descendants and hers?" Could He not have created a multitude of humans at once? Yet, knowing it would be good, He created both angels and humans free to choose what is right. He appointed periods of time for them to exercise free will. And because He knew it would be good, He made both general and specific judgments, while protecting each one's freedom to choose. Hence, Scripture says at the destruction of the tower, and the division and alteration of languages: "The Lord said, 'Look, the people are one, and they all have one language; and this is what they have begun to do. Now nothing they plan will be impossible for them.'" The statement "My strength is dried up like a broken pottery shard, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth" was also a prophecy of what He would endure according to the Father's will. The power of His strong word, which always countered the Pharisees, Scribes, and teachers of yo

Origen, Letter to Gregory Supporting witness

...mous schools. But my desire for you has been that you direct the whole strength of your mind toward Christianity as your goal, and do so in a productive way. I would want you, on the one hand, to take with you those parts of Greek philosophy that are fit, as it were, to serve as general or preparatory studies for Christianity, and on the other hand, as much geometry and astronomy as may help in interpreting the Holy Scriptures. The children of the philosophers speak of geometry and music and grammar and rhetoric and astronomy as helping philosophy; and in the same way, we might say that philosophy itself helps Christianity.

1 Peter 3:15 Background

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching

...an obstinate refusal to offer sacrifices, he found in their religious services nothing but meetings early in the morning for singing hymns to Christ and God, and sealing their way of life by a united pledge to remain faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty, and other crimes. In reply, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be sought out. But if they were brought before him, they should be punished. O miserable deliverance. Under the necessities of the case, it is a self-contradiction. It forbids them to be sought out, as innocent, and it commands them to be punished, as guilty. It is at once merciful and cruel. It passes by, and it punishes. Why do you play this game of evasion with yourself, O Judgment? If you condemn, why do you not also inquire? If you do not inquire, why do you not also absolve? Military stations are set throughout all the provinces for tracking robbers. Against traitors and public enemies every man is a soldier. Search is made even for their confederates and accessories. The Christian alone must not be sought, though he may be brought and accused before the judge, as if a search had any other end than that! And so

Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching

...have answered well enough the charges of the many crimes on which these fierce demands are made for Christian blood. We have fully presented our case. We have shown how we can prove that what we say is true, from the trustworthiness and antiquity of our sacred writings, and also from the confession of the powers of spiritual wickedness themselves. Who will dare to refute us, not with skill in words, but, as we have made our demonstration, on the basis of reality? But while the truth we hold is made clear to all, unbelief meanwhile, even at the very time when it is convinced of the worth of Christianity, now well known both for its benefits and from the intercourse of life, takes up the idea that it is not really something divine, but rather a kind of philosophy. "These are the very things," it says, "that the philosophers advise and profess: innocence, justice, patience, sobriety, and chastity." Why then are we not allowed the same freedom and immunity for our teachings that they have, when we are compared with them in what we teach? Or why are they not also forced to the same acts, by refusing which our lives are put in danger, if they are so much like us? For who forces a phil

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Direct teaching

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Direct teaching

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing

Minucius Felix, Octavius Supporting witness

...s in crimes. Nor would an intelligent report speak of things so great and so varied, and needing an apology before they are told, unless truth were at the bottom of it. I hear that they worship the head of a donkey, the basest of creatures, made sacred by I do not know what foolish belief—a religion worthy and fitting for such behavior. Some say that they worship the sexual organs of their chief and priest, and adore, as it were, the nature of their common parent. I do not know whether these things are false. Certainly suspicion applies to secret and nighttime rites. And he who explains their ceremonies by referring to a man punished with extreme suffering for his wickedness, and to the deadly wood of the cross, assigns fitting altars to reprobate and wicked men, so that they may worship what they deserve. Now the story about the initiation of young novices is as detestable as it is well known. An infant, covered with meal so that it may deceive the unwary, is placed before the one who is about to be stained by their rites. This infant is killed by the young pupil, who has been urged on, as if to harmless blows on the surface of the meal, with dark and secret wounds. Thirstily—O

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

14. Why do you focus on the weakness of our body? Why do you struggle against the frailty of this earthly flesh? Instead, fight against the strength of the mind. Break down the power of the soul. Destroy our faith. Conquer, if you can, by argument. Overcome by reason. Or, if your gods have any deity and power, let them rise to defend themselves. Let them protect themselves by their own majesty. But how can they help their worshippers if they cannot even avenge themselves on those who do not worship them? For if the one who avenges is greater than the one who is avenged, then you are greater than your gods. And if you are greater than those whom you worship, you ought not to worship them. Rather, they ought to worship and fear you as their lord. Your defense protects them when they are harmed, just as your protection keeps them from perishing when they are shut up. You should be ashamed to worship those whom you yourself defend. You should be ashamed to hope for protection from those whom you yourself protect.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...g salvation. I gladly rejoice and give thanks, most brave and blessed brothers, when I hear of your faith and courage, in which the Church, our Mother, glories. Recently, she indeed gloried when, because of a steadfast confession, that punishment was endured which drove Christ’s confessors into exile. Yet the present confession is much more shining and greater in honor, because it is braver in suffering. The struggle has grown, and the glory of those who fight has also grown. You were not held back from the battle by fear of tortures. Rather, by the tortures themselves you were stirred up more and more to the conflict. Bravely and firmly you returned, with willing devotion, to contend in the greatest struggle. I find that some of you are already crowned, while some are even now close to the crown of victory. But all whom danger has enclosed together in a glorious company are eager to carry on the struggle with the same common zeal of courage, as is fitting for the soldiers of Christ in the divine camp. Let no attractions deceive the uncorrupted firmness of your faith, no threats terrify you, and no sufferings or tortures overcome you, because greater is He who is in us than he w

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

The proof of their ignorance, at once condemning and excusing their injustice, is this, that those who once hated Christianity because they knew nothing about it, no sooner come to know it than they all lay down at once their enmity.

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

But lest any one think that this is an unreasonable and reckless utterance, we demand that the charges against the Christians be investigated, and that, if these be substantiated, they be punished as they deserve;

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

It is a great matter if, to give you faith in Christians, I can bring forward the authority of the very beings on account of whom you refuse them credit.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

or, if your gods have any deity and power, let them themselves rise to their own vindication, let them defend themselves by their own majesty.

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Direct teaching

...ht at once to begin their festival joy and gladness. But in what you wrote to me, you showed very clearly, and with an intelligent understanding of the Holy Scriptures, that they do not seem to give any exact statement of the hour when He rose. For the Evangelists describe differently the people who came one after another to the tomb, and all declare that they found the Lord already risen. Matthew says it was at the end of the Sabbath. John writes that it was early, while it was still dark. Luke says it was very early in the morning. Mark tells us it was very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun. So no one has shown us clearly the exact time when He rose. It is admitted, however, that those who came to the tomb at the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, found that He was no longer lying in it. And let us not suppose that the Evangelists disagree or contradict one another. Even if there seems to be some small difficulty in the matter we are asking about, they all agree that the Light of the world, our Lord, rose on that one night, though they differ about the hour. So we may rightly try, with a wise and faithful mind, to bring their

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

Celsus next goes on to say that the system of teaching, that is, Judaism, on which Christianity depends, was barbarian in its origin. And with an appearance of fairness, he does not attack Christianity because it began among barbarians, but gives them credit for being able to discover such teachings. But to this he adds the claim that the Greeks are more skillful than all others in judging, establishing, and putting into practice the discoveries of barbarian nations. Now this is our answer to his charges, and our defense of the truths found in Christianity: if anyone were to come from the study of Greek opinions and customs to the Gospel, he would not only judge that its teachings are true, but would also confirm their truth by practice. He would also supply whatever seemed to be lacking, from a Greek point of view, for their proof, and so would confirm the truth of Christianity. We must say, moreover, that the Gospel has a proof of its own, more divine than any proof established by Greek dialectics. And this more divine method is called by the apostle "the manifestation of the Spirit and of power": of the Spirit, because of the prophecies, which are enough to produce faith in anyo

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

...arvelous things. For it is true that not all people show themselves worthy of belief, and not all clearly show that they are telling people nothing but fictions and fables. Moreover, about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we say this: it is not at all surprising if, on such an occasion, one or two angels appeared to announce that Jesus had risen from the dead, and to provide for the safety of those who believed in this event, to the advantage of their souls. Nor does it seem at all unreasonable to me that those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and who show, as a fruit of their faith that should not be lightly valued, that they possess a virtuous life and have turned away from the flood of evils, should not be unattended by angels who lend their help in accomplishing their conversion to God.

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Direct teaching

... the commotion that arose among them. But when the crowd of listeners became quiet again, Archelaus answered in this way: "No one, truly, will ever be able to prove himself mightier than the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nor is any name found equal to His, as it is written: 'Therefore God has exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name.' Nor, again, can anyone ever be equal to Him in the matter of testimony. And so I will simply bring forward the testimonies of His own voice in answer to you. "First of all, I do this in order to solve those difficulties you have stated, so that you may not say, as you are used to doing, that these are matters not in harmony with the Person Himself. Now, you maintain that the man who brought the word to Jesus about His mother and His brothers was rebuked by Him, as if he were in error, just as the writer was in error. Well, I affirm that neither was this man rebuked, who brought Him the message about His mother and His brothers, nor was Peter only named blessed above him. Rather, each of these two parties received from Him the answer properly called forth by their several words, as the discussion that follows will show. "When on

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

...ords, so also all our hope is made to depend on the birth by the blessed Mary. Therefore give me an answer to these several questions that I will ask you. How shall we get rid of these many words of the apostle, so important and so exact, which are stated in words like these: "But when the good pleasure of God was with us, He sent His Son, made of a woman"; and again, "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us"; and once more, "God has both raised up the Lord, and will raise up us together with Him by His own power"? And there are many other passages with a similar meaning. For example, this one that follows: "How do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain. Yes, and we will be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are mo

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

3. Now it ought to be known that the holy apostles, in preaching the faith of Christ, delivered themselves with the utmost clearness on certain points which they believed to be necessary to every one, even to those who seemed somewhat dull in the investigation of divine knowledge;

Irenaeus, Connection to Acts 4:33 Supporting witness

"And with great power," it is added, "gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," saying to them, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye seized and slew, hanging Him upon a beam of wood: Him hath God raised up by His right hand to be a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

Acts 17:3 Background

explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

Acts 17:11 Background

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Acts 11:26 Background

and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 18:28 Background

for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 4:33 Background

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

Athenagoras, The Resurrection of the Dead Direct teaching

...ore, I think that those who pay attention to such subjects should use two kinds of argument: one in defense of the truth, and another about the truth itself. The defense of the truth is for unbelievers and doubters. The argument about the truth itself is for those who are fair-minded and ready to receive the truth. So, those who want to examine these matters should keep in mind what the need of each case requires, and guide their discussion by that. They should arrange the order in which they treat these subjects according to what fits the occasion. They should not ignore what is appropriate, and the proper place of each topic, just to seem as if they always keep the same method. As far as proof and natural order are concerned, discussions about the truth itself always come before discussions in defense of it. But for greater usefulness, the order must be reversed, and arguments in defense of the truth must come first. A farmer cannot properly sow seed in the ground unless he first clears away the wild growth and whatever would harm the good seed. In the same way, a doctor cannot give healthy medicine to a body that needs his care unless he first removes the disease already insi

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...pt praying for those who give and for the whole Church. When anyone asks her something, let her not answer quickly, except for questions about the faith, righteousness, and hope in God. Those who want to be taught the doctrines of godliness she should refer to the rulers. Let her answer only in a way that tends to overthrow the error of polytheism, and let her show the truth about the sole rule of God. But about the other doctrines, let her not answer anything rashly, lest by speaking without learning she should cause the word to be blasphemed. For the Lord has taught us that the word is like a grain of mustard seed, Matthew 13:31, and it has a fiery nature. If anyone uses it unskillfully, he will find it bitter. For in mystical matters we must not be rash, but careful. For the Lord urges us, saying, "Do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6 For unbelievers, when they hear the teaching about Christ not explained as it should be, but imperfectly, and especially the teaching about His incarnation or His passion, will be more likely to reject it with scorn and laugh at it as false than to prai

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

For, since he was contending against a man who was ignorant of the truth, he ought for a while to have laid aside divine readings, and to have formed from the beginning this man as one who was altogether ignorant, and to have shown to him by degrees the beginnings of light, that he might not be dazzled, the whole of its brightness being presented to him.

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

Or, if he has read them and does not understand the majesty that is in them, or, understanding it, acts thus that he may not be suspected of being such [a Christian], he is far more base and thoroughly depraved, being conquered by illiberal and unreasonable opinion and fear.

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

For he who denies anything either denies it because he condemns the thing itself, or he shrinks from confession because he is conscious of his own unworthiness or alienation from it, neither of which cases is that of the true Christian.