Essay On Early Christian Apologetics

Describe Christian Apologetics in the second century.

The second century Christian Apologists contributed towards Christianity the same concepts and terms as today with a major difference for the Christians living in Western countries. The Christian Apologists of the second century corrected the myths, provided detailed instructions and commands on the issues that were unknown to the public and answered questions related to mostly faith and religion and solved out problems, etc.
Ferguson in his book explained that the Christian Apologists of the second century were represented by prominent writers such as Athenagoras, Justin Martyr, Aristides and Theophilus, who belonged to a rich Apologetic heritage and cultural background of Jews. The Christian Apologist's represented their points by stating that the Hebrew Scripture leads the way to the Greek concepts and provided important and valuable details and instructions to the Greek culture and heritage. Not only this, but the Christian Apologists also believed that the Hebrew Scripture provided support to the monotheistic concepts and principles that were incorporated in Greek history and could be easily interpreted from the Greek perspective.
The Scripture helped to understand the widespread and profound tradition and culture that permitted to solve the important questions related to the modernism of the Christian religion, the two divisions (dichotomic) relationship of martyrs and demons with the God along with the conjecture of Supreme Being. Apart from this, the Christian Apologists completely moved away from the first century focus on Christians by brazenly utilizing the pagan viewpoint and other concepts along with literature, to defend the thoughts of Christians in order to benefit the non-Christians.

What were the acquisitions against Christians?

The main acquisitions against Christians was based on infestation, atheism and cannibalism. In the second century, the Christian atheist was defined as the one who did not follow any religion or believed in any God. The concept and blame of cannibalism became even more outrageous without the main understanding of the Eucharist that was fervently argued by even the Christians. Christians were also accused of the criminal activities that included worshipping someone who claimed that he was a king and also refused to participate in the political activities. This was considered a profound and significant threat to the Roman empire.

How did apologists like Justin respond? 

The most popular and significant Apologists of the second century were Justin Martyr. Justin was neither a Samaritan nor a Jew and was raised in Greco-Roman philosophy that was converted by a Christian, who raised questions that could only be answered by the Christian philosophy. Justin was important because he brought up questions like why and what to the Christian concepts and practices. Justin was significant to the Emperor and the Senate based on legal concepts against denouncing the Christians just because of their name only. This was also achieved by tempting to the principles of the Christians.

What apologetic principles could be used today in a modern context?

The first main concept, that can be used today, is to dialogue and converse with the non-believer who is in love. It is significant that if a dialogue is started with the non-believer, the concepts of both the sides should be well-respected. After the dialogue is initiated, do as the Apologist use of due earlier meaning present great logical reasoning and facts that are based upon literal concepts and sensing in both spiritual and physical sense. The questions should be asked for the non-believers, and these questions should be open-ended and the answers should be used later on to convince the non-believer into agreeing with your concepts. It is imperative that the truthful information should be provided and both the sides should respect each others concepts.

End Note

Edward F. (2008) The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism, St Augustines press, p.10.
Ferguson Everett (2005) Church History, Vol 1, From Christ to Pre-Reformation: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, the Intellectual, and Political Context. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, pp.71-78.
Roberts, A., & Donaldson, J. (1999) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1: The Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, p. 171.