Epistle to Diognetus
Encyclopedia
The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus is probably the earliest 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 the late 2nd century; some assume an even earlier date and count it among the Apostolic Fathers
.
who does not use the name "Jesus" or the expression the "Christ" but prefers the use of "the Word."
Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor Marcus Aurelius , who admired him for his freedom from superstition and sound educational advice.
that included writings ascribed to Justin Martyr
. The other two are probably copied from this. It was at Strasbourg
but was burned there during the Franco-Prussian War
. Fortunately it had already been printed, the first time in 1592, when it was generally ascribed to Justin Martyr because of the context of its manuscript. In all manuscripts, about two lines of the text are missing in the middle. The 13th century manuscript was obviously damaged in that place and the copies were made only after that damage had already been done.
The 10th chapter breaks off in mid thought and so the last two chapters, a kind of peroration that abandons the (fictive?) epistolary formula, are often considered to be later additions as characteristically 3rd-century contentions appear in them: "This Word, Who was from the beginning...". Some have ascribed these additions to Hippolytus
, based on similarities of thought and style. In the 11th chapter "Mathetes" presents himself as "having been a disciple of Apostles I come forward as a teacher of the Gentiles, ministering worthily to them" placing himself in a class with authoritative figures like John the Presbyter
.
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
, writings defending Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
from its accusers. The Greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known, but the language and other textual evidence dates the work to the late 2nd century; some assume an even earlier date and count it among the Apostolic Fathers
Apostolic Fathers
The Apostolic Fathers are a small number of Early Christian authors who lived and wrote in the second half of the first century and the first half of the second century. They are acknowledged as leaders in the early church, although their writings were not included in the New Testament...
.
Author and audience
"Mathetes" is not a proper name; it simply means "a disciple." The writer is a Johannine ChristianGospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
who does not use the name "Jesus" or the expression the "Christ" but prefers the use of "the Word."
Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor Marcus Aurelius , who admired him for his freedom from superstition and sound educational advice.
Manuscripts
The Epistle survives in two manuscripts. A third, that survived until 1870, was in a 13th century codexCodex
A codex is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple quires or gatherings typically bound together and given a cover.Developed by the Romans from wooden writing tablets, its gradual replacement...
that included writings ascribed to Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr, also known as just Saint Justin , was an early Christian apologist. Most of his works are lost, but two apologies and a dialogue survive. He is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church....
. The other two are probably copied from this. It was at Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
but was burned there during the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
. Fortunately it had already been printed, the first time in 1592, when it was generally ascribed to Justin Martyr because of the context of its manuscript. In all manuscripts, about two lines of the text are missing in the middle. The 13th century manuscript was obviously damaged in that place and the copies were made only after that damage had already been done.
Contents
The Epistle is in twelve chapters:- Chapter I.-Occasion of the Epistle.
- Chapter II.-The Vanity of Idols.
- Chapter III.-Superstitions of the Jews.
- Chapter IV.-The Other Observances of the Jews.
- Chapter V.-The Manners of the Christians.
- Chapter VI.-The Relation of Christians to the World.
- Chapter VII.-The Manifestation of Christ.
- Chapter VIII.-The Miserable State of Men Before the Coming of the Word.
- Chapter IX.-Why the Son Was Sent So Late.
- Chapter X.-The Blessings that Will Flow from Faith.
- Chapter XI.-These Things are Worthy to Be Known and Believed.
- Chapter XII.-The Importance of Knowledge to True Spiritual Life.
The 10th chapter breaks off in mid thought and so the last two chapters, a kind of peroration that abandons the (fictive?) epistolary formula, are often considered to be later additions as characteristically 3rd-century contentions appear in them: "This Word, Who was from the beginning...". Some have ascribed these additions to Hippolytus
Hippolytus (writer)
Hippolytus of Rome was the most important 3rd-century theologian in the Christian Church in Rome, where he was probably born. Photios I of Constantinople describes him in his Bibliotheca Hippolytus of Rome (170 – 235) was the most important 3rd-century theologian in the Christian Church in Rome,...
, based on similarities of thought and style. In the 11th chapter "Mathetes" presents himself as "having been a disciple of Apostles I come forward as a teacher of the Gentiles, ministering worthily to them" placing himself in a class with authoritative figures like John the Presbyter
John the Presbyter
John the Presbyter is an obscure figure of the early Church who is either distinguished from or identified with the Apostle John, by some also John the Divine. He appears in fragments from the church father Papias of Hierapolis as one of the author's sources and is first unequivocally distinguished...
.
Literature
- Lona, Horacio E.: "An Diognet", Übersetzt und erklärt, ed. by N. Brox, K. Niederwimmer, H. E. Lona, F. R. Prostmeier, and J. * Ulrich. (Series: Kommentar zu frühchristlichen Apologeten, KfA, Vol. 8). Verlag Herder: Freiburg u.a., 2001. ISBN 3-451-27679-8
- Foster, Paul. "The Epistle to Diognetus." Expository Times 118, no. 4 (2007): 162-168.
External links
- Greek text of Epistle to Diognetus
- Early Christian Writings: Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus e-text and commentaries