Since i see thee, most excellent diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping god prevalent among the christians, and inquiring very carefully and earnestly concerning them, what god they trust in, and what form of religion they observe, 264 so as all to look down upon the world itself, and. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus the heidelblog. Epistle to diognetus translated by joseph barber lightfoot, from apostolic fathers, 1891 external scan works about this text. The anonymous author of this epistle gives himself the title mathetes a disciple 1 of the apostles, and i. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus the epistle of mathetes to diognetus is probably the earliest example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity from its accusers. Go to the chronological list of all early christian writings. In it, he writes about the folly of pagan idols and jewish. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus mathetes for the christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. Introductory note to the epistle of mathetes to diognetus a.
The greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known, but the language and other textual evidence dates the work to the late 2nd century. Although neither author nor recipient is known for certain, the letter to diognetus purports to be written by a student of the apostles who calls himself mathetes. There are two schools as to its dating, one which favors a date approximately ce and the other which favors a date approximately 200 ce or even later in the third century. You have so carefully and earnestly asked your questions about them. Epistle to diognetus kindle edition by mathetes anonymous. Letter to diognetus, an early christian apologetic work probably dating from the 2nd or 3rd century ad. Clement to the corinthians, first epistle, 1st century a. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus is an example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity from its accusers. The greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known, but the language and other textual evidence dates the work to. It is very hard to find a better introduction to late 1st century christianity than the letter to diognetus. It is often included with the works of the apostolic fathers, greek christian writers of the late 1st and early 2nd centuries, but it more accurately is associated with the early apologists primarily 1st century. Epistle to diognetus epistle of mathetes to diognetus. Epistle to diognetus translated by alexander roberts and james donaldson, 1867. Epistle to diognetus wikipedia salvation will be manifested.
Aug 05, 2019 the epistle of mathetes to diognetus is probably the earliest example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity from its accusers. Epistle to diognetus robertsdonaldson wikisource, the. The greek writing known under this name was first printed in 1592 by henricus stephanus, along with a companion piece to greeks, as hitherto unknown writings of justin martyr, taken by him from a single faded exemplar in his edition, as in the transcript in his own handwriting extant at leyden, the writing to greeks was not prefixed, but appended to the writing to. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus a late 2d century apology addressed to a certain diognetus who is otherwise unknown. Jan 02, 2020 the oldest known manuscript of the letter to diognetus, dating from the thirteenth or fourteenth century, was found along with the writings of justin martyr. The letter or epistle to diognetus is a second or thirdcentury work that defends the doctrines of christianity. Epistle to diognetus the catholic encyclopedia bible. The letter to diognetus changed all that with one statement. Jul 12, 2019 letter to diognetus, an early christian apologetic work probably dating from the 2nd or 3rd century ad.
Epistle to diognetus pdf epistle to diognetus pdf this type of writing is also called an apologetics letter or an apology. Since i see thee, most excellent diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping god prevalent. The greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known. Once it became obvious that in ourselves we were unable to enter the kingdom of god, the power of god could then make us able.
Jun 30, 2019 epistle to diognetus wikipedia salvation will be manifested. For a considerable period after its publication in 1592, it was generally ascribed to justin martyr. Epistle of mathetes to diognetus the puritan board. The following interesting and eloquent epistle is anonymous, and we have no clue whatever as to its author. One of the things that stood out to me was that the life of the early christians were markedly different from those with whom they lived. Epistle to diognetus resources online and in print. It is perhaps one of the first works of apologetics, where mathetes was trying to persuade diognetus toward the christian faith. Full text of the epistle to diognetus internet archive. This was not that he at all delighted in our sins, but that he simply endured them. Entry for epistle to diognetus the catholic encyclopedia one of 8 bible encyclopedias freely available, this encyclopedia is one of the most comprehensive resource on. Dec 17, 20 the letter to diognetus was written by a student of the apostles. I promise to use it only to send you the early church history newsletter. It is about all we know of him, and it serves a useful end. But the letter to diognetus did not only resolve the issue.
One example, philip schaff, the apostolic fathers with justin martyr and irenaeus, see. Introductory note to the epistle of mathetes to diognetus by arthur cleveland coxe, from the antenicene fathers. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. We ask this through our lord jesus christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy spirit, one god, for ever and ever. Grant describes the epistle of mathetes to diognetus the anchor bible dictionary, v. Chapter 1 since i see, most excellent diognetus, that thou art exceedingly anxious to understand the religion of the christians. One of the earliest apologetically writings, if not the earliest, is known as the epistle to diognetus. Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor marcus aurelius, who admired him for his freedom from superstition and sound educational. Keep in the light of your truth all those you have freed from the darkness of unbelief. For several weeks earlier this spring the adult catechism class was studying some of the early postapostolic fathers. The epistle to diognetus pronounced dieogkneetus is also called the epistle of mathetes greek for disciple or learner. Letter to diognetus early christian work britannica.
The anonymous author of this epistle gives himself the title mathetes a disciple 263 of the apostles, and i venture to adopt it as his name. Instead, im trying to show you what early christianity was like. The epistle of polycarp to the philippians, estimated 100 a. The anonymous author of this epistle gives himself the title mathetes a. Letter to diognetus christian history for everyman. In recent times otto has inserted it among the works of that. The early christians said that the scriptures on food had a symbolic meaning. Im putting this up as a reference and removing the dissenting. Introductory note to the epistles of mathetes to diognetus.
What is it about the god they believe in, and the form of religion they observe, that lets them look down upon the world and despise death. Its an excellent example of the erudition, theology, and ethics of some of the. Ive only seen evidence that it is thought that the recipient of this letter was the same diognetus as the tutor of m. Chapters 110 serve as an early defense of the christian faith, while chapters 1112 are an early christian sermon. Apr 18, 20 the epistle of mathetes to diognetus greek. One of the documents we studied was the epistle of mathetes the disciple to a certain diognetus. This was written around the year ad and it gives some great insight into the thought of the early church.
Sep 25, 2019 the epistle of mathetes to diognetus for the christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the dignetos which they observe. Clement to the corinthians, second epistle, 1st century a. You will find this is true in scripture as well, where the early church usage holds up much better. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading epistle to diognetus. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus is probably the earliest example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity from its accusers. This type of writing is also called an apologetics letter or an apology. The letter or epistle to diognetus is a second or thirdcentury work the letter to diognetus purports to be written by a student of the apostles who. There are two schools as to its dating, one which favors a date approximately ce and the other which favors a date approximately 200 ce or.
Since i see thee, most excellent diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping god prevalent among the christians, and inquiring very carefully and earnestly concerning them, what god they trust in, and what form of religion they observe, so as all to look down upon the world itself, and despise. This letter is an answer to an inquiry which had been addressed to the author as to what was the character of the christian religion, and what were the reasons why he had embraced it. Apr 30, 2020 the epistle of mathetes to diognetus and as to the fact that christians are not accustomed to serve such gods, i might easily find many other things to say. Thus the oratorian andrea gallandi 17091779, in reissuing coteliers collection in his bibliotheca veterum patrum 17651781, included the fragments of papias and the epistle to diognetus, to which recent editors have added the citations from the elders of papiass day found in irenaeus, and. Epistle to diognetus wikisource, the free online library. Introductory note to the epistle of mathetes to diognetus. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus is probably the earliest example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity from its. It is often included with the works of the apostolic fathers. Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. Estimates of dating based on the language and other textual evidence have ranged from ad.
Epistle to diognetus this letter is an answer to an inquiry which had been addressed to the author as to what was the character of the christian religion, and what were the reasons why he had embraced it. Epistle to diognetus epistle of mathetes evidence unseen. For a time it was believed that the letter to diognetus was composed by justin martyr, but that theory has since been discarded. Jan 19, 2019 the epistle of mathetes to diognetus is probably the earliest example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity from its accusers. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Nov, 2018 mathetes, translated by alexander roberts and james donaldson this translation of the epistle to diognetus first appeared in antenicene christian library vol. And do not wonder that a man may become an imitator of god. While reading this short but wonderful work, one of its sections jumped out to me. By anonymous author 0070 it is widely believed that the last two chapters were added at a later time. Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor marcus aurelius, who admired him. Although neither author nor recipient is known for certain, the letter to diognetus purports to be written by a student of the apostles who calls himself. As long then as the former time endured, he permitted us to be borne along by unruly impulses, being drawn away by the desire of pleasure and various lusts.
Chapter 1 since i see, most excellent diognetus, that thou art exceedingly anxious to. Epistle of mathetes to diognetus early christian writings. Mathetes, in a single sentence, expounds a most practical text with comprehensive views. The anonymous author of this epistle gives himself the title mathetes a disciple.
Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus bible study tools. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. Although neither author nor recipient is known for certain, the letter to epistle to diognetus pdf this type of writing is also called an apologetics letter or an apology. I can see that you deeply desire to learn how christians worship their god. I do not aim at anything except what is consistent with sound reason. Please buy the cd to support the site, view it without ads, and get bonus stuff.