[Greek] ἀπολογία (apologia), [Latin] defensio, [Latin] ratio, [Latin] defendere: defense, vindication, apology, explanation, justification; Act25:16, 2Cor 7:11,Phil 1:7,16,2 Tim 4:16,1 Pet 3:15
Justin Martyr (born 100 A.D.) is perhaps one of greatest apologists (defenders) of the Catholic faith.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means speech in defense of or response to something.
Antiphon’s On the Choreutes 6.7: “My own attitude to my defense is very different from that of my accusers to their prosecution. They have treated their speech as nothing but an opportunity for malicious falsehood. Even though I am entirely innocent.”
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 3.61: “We should never have asked to make this speech if the Plataeans had contented themselves with shortly answering the question, and had not turned around and made charges against us. However, since they have done so, we must answer their charges and refute them.
Plato’s Apology 28a: “That I am not a wrongdoer seems to me not to need much of a defense, but what has been said is enough. But you may be assured that what I said before is true, that great hatred has risen against in the minds of many persons.”
New Testament: This term means defense and reason.
Scripture:
Acts 22:1: “My brothers and fathers, listen what I am about to say to you in my defense.” (Paul’s first defense is presented to the Jerusalem crowds. Luke presents Paul as a devout and zealous persecutor of the Christian community. Paul relates to others his conversion story to become a Christian apostle.)
Acts 25:16: “I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faces his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.” (As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to have the “right to be beheaded” rather than to be crucified like a slave or barbarian. Paul was also entitled to have the right to defend himself and the right to face his accuser.)
2Tim.4:16: “At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me.”
- After the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D., Christians were looked upon as enemies of the state. Accused Christians were killed by being burned to death.
- This scripture implies a second trial for Paul in Rome. Paul could have been charged and given a warning in the complicity of the introduction of Christianity in Rome.
- The second defense (trial) leads to Paul’s second imprisonment for actively introducing Christianity in Rome.
- Christians were fearful and afraid in standing with Paul against the Roman authorities.
- Paul was mindful of other Christians’ fears and concerns. Paul did not hold this against them.
- Tradition [Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History] indicates that Paul was finally beheaded in 64 A.D. in Rome.
1Pet.3:15: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”
Christians suffering and restraint: 1 Pet.3:13-17, 1Pet.18-21
- If you suffer because of righteousness [of God], blessed are you.
- Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.
- It is better to suffer for doing good, if that is God’s will, than to do evil.
- Whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering, following the God’s will, that is a GRACE.
- If you are patient when you suffer for doing good, this is a GRACE before God.
- For this you have been called [to share in Christ’s suffering], because Christ also suffered. Christ leaves you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.
Justin Martyr:
What is the original meaning of apologetics? This term can be used in a legal context, where the accused makes a systemic and logical defense or statement in response to formal charges against detractors and unbelievers. St. Justin Martyr, used philosophical arguments to defend Christianity to the Roman authorities. His First Apology was written around 153-155 AD. His Second Apology was written around 148-161 AD.
How did Justin view Christ? Justin said that Jesus was the missing piece of Socrates’s puzzle. Socrates rejected pagan idolatry. Socrates searched for the one true God. Philosophy brought Justin to Christ. Justin remained as a philosopher to the end.
How did Justin view these Christians? Justin found it impossible that these Christians were not living in wickedness and pleasure. These Christians were fearless of death, even sometimes welcoming it. These Christians would rather escape the observation of others. This was a result of excellent Socratic reasoning. This allowed Justin to recognize baloney when he smelled it. Perhaps this is also the work of the Holy Spirit. Justin laughed at these accusations.
What was the early education of Justin? He showed an early philosophical interest in life. He spent much time with the Stoics, Peripatetics, and the Pythagoreans, before settling upon the study of Plato and Plato’s master Socrates. Justin still had many unanswered questions about Socrates’ Unknown God. Justin seems to have reasoned that these difficulties would surely be resolved one by one
When did Justin convert to Christianity? This is thought to have happened in Ephesus around 130 AD. He was given a warm welcome into the Christian congregation.
Why was Justin’s conduct, after his conversion, somewhat unusual? He raised a few eyebrows from others by his conduct as a new believer. Instead of remaining with his fellow Christians, Justin continued to meet with his fellow philosophers in the Temple grounds. He kept all his old friendships and ran with the same crowd. JUSTIN REMAINED ENGAGED WITH THE CULTURE!
Why did Justin do this? Justin was an apologist. He became a defender of the faith as a philosophical evangelist. Justin seemed to have the desire to see his own people, his fellow philosophers, and to bring the knowledge of the truth to them.
What is the significance of this temple area? Such places were where the philosophers of the day plied their trade. Groups of them could always be found arguing on the steps of every pagan shrine in the Empire. On this particular day, Justin drew the attention of Trypho, a Hellenized rabbi. These competing viewpoints all met here on equal terms, debating philosophy.
Despite being a Christian, why is Justin able to debate in these temple grounds? Justin knew that there was an unwritten code of honor among the Greek philosophers to allow for other points of view. Socrates’ great motto had been to follow the argument wherever it leads. Keeping an open mind was considered to be among the highest virtues. They prided themselves upon that just about any viewpoint could gain a respectful hearing among them, until they felt that viewpoint had been conclusively disproved. Therefore, to surrender their old comrade to the authorities would have been a serious violation of this code of conduct.
Etymology: In classical Greek this term apologia means well reasoned and thought-out reply (response). The Greek apologos means account or story. The Greek apo- means away from. The Greek logos means speech. First recorded in 1590, this term conveyed self justification and a frank expression of regret for wrong done. Currently, an apology signifies excuse and extenuating the fault rather than vindication and proving innocence. The Greek apologetikos means defensible.
Personal note: In addition to being a catechist, I am also a Catholic apologist. My website is called Resounding the Faith. The Greek verb katecheo means to sound (-echeo) down (kata-). This is what I am seeking to do: “to resound the faith”. Katecheo ==> catechist, catechize, catechism (You should not be surprised!)
Conclusion:
Apology, apologize, apologetics, defense, rationality, rational
Shakespeare perhaps may have become the father of the modern apology: “My lord, there needs no such apologie.” Richard III
It is quite interesting to see how the term apologia (apology) has changed over history. In classical Greek this term was very important in one defending one’s beliefs, statements, and principles. Both Paul and Peter greatly held up the idea of defending one’s faith. Later, this leads to the development of Christian and Catholic apologetics. This study entails the examination of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin influences of scripture.
It is quite remarkable that St. Justin Martyr sought to evangelize and catechize his fellow philosopher peers “in the trenches” rather than staying comfortably safe among the Christian community.
Progression of this term: reasoned defense (justification) ==> self-justification (excuse) ==> apology (“I’m sorry!”)
Update:
Apologies/explanations/defenses/non-apologies for the Paris Olympics Opening ceremonies:
- We intended to offend.
- We are sorry for the offense. This did not depict the Last Supper.
- This was intended to highlight diversity, inclusion, acceptance, and love.
- You do not understand French culture.
- We did not intend to offend.
- We have the right to do what we want.
- Art is meant to offend.
- Even Modernist clergy are giving tepid criticism to this sacrilege and mockery.
In Nicaragua, priests are continually being kidnapped, imprisoned, and expelled from the country. Unfortunately, these priests do not much recourse in this country ruled the Communist leader Ortega. Where is the Vatican in all this to defend these priests? At least, we can pray for these the persecuted priests and people of Nicaragua.
Unfortunately, there are too many cardinals, bishops, and priests WHO WILL NOT STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST heresies, scandal, sacrilege, evil, and secular values. Perhaps these cowardly are fearful of being canceled, fearful of offending their superiors, and fearful of not getting that next great apostolic position.
Those progressive and Modernist clergy who claim that the Church must reform or change are actually denigrating and criticizing the magisterial authority of Jesus’ Church.
Modernists arrogantly claim that Jesus’ Church must change in a synodal Church in the image of man. Are they actually saying that Jesus got it wrong??
Yet, at the same time, these priests, suffering in the name of Christ, are actually receiving graces and blessings from God. Do they even realize this!
There are now priests being cancelled, laicized, and excommunicated for defending traditional Church teachings and criticizing Pope Francis’s Modernist changing of Jesus’ Church. This is not a good look for the Modernists! Yet, they continue to do this.
Each of us (in the trenches) most give a reasoned explanation for our appropriate criticism of Pope Francis’ Modernist practices and policies.
Each of us (in the trenches) must give a reasoned explanation for the reason of our hope to others (non-Christians and non-Catholics) in our call to evangelize others.
The GREAT CULTURAL DIVIDE between the secular world and Catholicism (Christianity) is quite evident when apologies are refused, ignored, and rebuffed by those who cause great sacrilege, scandal, and blasphemy.
CitizenGo claimed that the French government violated its neutrality laws regarding religious beliefs during the French Olympics. The French government was actively involved in Paris Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. As a result of CitizenGo’s efforts to bring this to their attention, the French authorities arrested and actually jailed some members of CitizenGo. As you can imagine, CitizenGo will be pursuing more legal action. https://go.citizengo.org/IT-2024-07-29-Global-FR-MGI-13626-Christian_Mockery_Olympics-Paris_Olympics_LP-OTD-IT.html?dr=533431%3A%3A8b5ae5f6debc3489dd499f72f53fb269&utm_source=em&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_content=em_btn&utm_campaign=IT-2024-07-29-Global-FR-MGI-13626-Christian_Mockery_Olympics-Paris_Olympics.17_FR_OTD_Launch&fd_buttonid=1-6&email_domain=gmail.com
This is a somewhat lengthy post: Sorry ===> but not sorry! ☺☺☺
Next post: being pagan