Bad Advertisement?
Are you a Christian?
Online Store:Visit Our Store
| Chapter IV.—Christians unjustly condemned for their mere name.
PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP 
Chapter IV.—Christians unjustly
condemned for their mere name.
By the mere application of a name, nothing is decided,
either good or evil, apart from the actions implied in the name; and
indeed, so far at least as one may judge from the name we are accused of,
we are most excellent people.1772
| 1772 Justin avails himself here of the similarity in sound of
the words Χριστὸς (Christ) and
χρηστὸς (good, worthy,
excellent). The play upon these words is kept up throughout this
paragraph, and cannot be always represented to the English reader. [But
Justin was merely quoting and using, ad hominem, the popular
blunder of which Suetonius (Life of Claudius, cap. 25) gives us an
example, “impulsore Chresto.” It will be observed
again in others of these Fathers.] | But
as we do
not think it just to beg to be acquitted on account of the name, if we be
convicted as evil-doers, so, on the other hand, if we be found to have
committed no offence, either in the matter of thus naming ourselves, or
of our conduct as citizens, it is your part very earnestly to guard
against incurring just punishment, by unjustly punishing those who are
not convicted. For from a name neither praise nor punishment could
reasonably spring, unless something excellent or base in action be
proved. And those among yourselves who are accused you do not punish
before they are convicted; but in our case you receive the name as proof
against us, and this although, so far as the name goes, you ought rather
to punish our accusers. For we are accused of being Christians, and to
hate what is excellent (Chrestian) is unjust. Again, if any of the
accused deny the name, and say that he is not a Christian, you acquit
him, as having no evidence against him as a wrong-doer; but if any one
acknowledge that he is a Christian, you punish him on account of this
acknowledgment. Justice requires that you inquire into the life both of
him who confesses and of him who denies, that by his deeds it may be
apparent what kind of man each is. For as some who have been taught by the
Master, Christ, not to deny Him, give encouragement to others when they
are put to the question, so in all probability do those who lead wicked
lives give occasion to those who, without consideration, take upon them
to accuse all the Christians of impiety and wickedness. And this also is
not right. For of philosophy, too, some assume the name and the garb who
do nothing worthy of their profession; and you are well aware, that those
of the ancients whose opinions and teachings were quite diverse, are yet
all called by the one name of philosophers. And of these some taught atheism; and the poets who
have flourished among you raise a laugh out of the uncleanness of Jupiter
with his own children. And those who now adopt such instruction are not
restrained by you; but, on the contrary, you bestow prizes and honours
upon those who euphoniously insult the gods.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
