[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 debating at the Temple grounds. June 1 is the feast day of St. Justin Martyr
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. Paul’s first defense is presented to the Jerusalem Jew. He relates his conversion story (from a zealous Pharisee to a Christian Apostle). As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to face his accuser and to defend himself against these charges. When others had passed judgment on him, Paul states his Apostolic rights and his offer to freely share the gospel. Those godly sorrows and affliction have provided a readiness for a defense. Paul and the Phillipians both share in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Those who preach Christ out of good will share in Paul’s defense of the gospel. Peter states that one must give a reason for your hope in sharing the gospel. One must act with good conduct (manners) when you are maligned.
Scripture:
“My brothers and fathers, listen what I am about to say to you in my defense.” Acts 22:1
Paul present his first defense to the Jews in Jerusalem. Paul relates his conversion story from a zealous Pharisee to a Christian Apostle.
“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.” Acts 25:16
Paul was entitled to certain rights as a Roman citizen.
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” 1Pet.3:15
This follows Peter’s biblical command to give a reason and justification for our faith. We are encouraged to promote, justify, and engage in it. We are called to act in good conduct, so those others (who malign you) will be put to shame.
Justin Martyr: This term can be used in a legal context, where the accused makes a defense or statement in response to the formal charges. This term is also used in apologetics, the systematic and logical defense of Christianity against its 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 are living in wickedness and pleasure. These Christians were fearless of death. These Christians sometimes would welcome death. 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. 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 by his conduct as a new believer. Instead of staying with his fellow Christians, Justin continued to meet with his fellow philosophers at the Temple grounds. He kept all his old friendships and ran with the same crowd.
Why did Justin do this? Justin was an apologist. He became a defender of the faith, 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. This 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.
Conclusion:
Apology, apologize, apologetics, defense, rationality, rationale
It is quite interesting to see how the term apologia (apology) has changed over history. Now this term means “I’m sorry.” 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.
I am not sorry that this is a somewhat lengthy post.
June 1: feast day for Justin Martyr
Personal note: In addition to being a catechist, I also have had a great interest in Catholic apologetics. Catechesis comes from the Greek katecheo, meaning to sound (-echeo) down (kat-). Therefore my catechetical website is appropriately called “Resounding the Faith”. Like St. Paul, St. Justin Martyr has become one of the most noteworthy Catholic apologists.