Contains contemporary translations of two key Christian works of the 2nd century: Justin Martyr's First Apology and Mark Felix's Octavius. These important writings give a lively insight into what the primitive Christians believed, and how they worshipped and lived. Among other things, these writings describe a typical early Christian Sunday service and an early Christian baptism.
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Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek, Latin
Original Language: Greek, Latin
From the Back Cover
When a second-century pagan ridiculed Christians for their lack of education, one Christian replied, "We don't speak great things we live them!" That was the essence of early Christianity. It was not a Christianity of words, but rather of holy, obedient living.
This book contains two second-century Christian works, translated into readable contemporary English: Mark Felix's Octavius and Justin Martyr's First Apology. They describe the dynamic, living church of the second century and discuss what Christians of that age believed.
The First Apology of Justin Martyr is the oldest Christian apology still in existence in its entirety. Justin penned this work at the risk of his own life. Apart from the inspired New Testament writings, this apology is perhaps the single most valuable work of early Christianity. Through it, we can take a peek through time to see what Christianity was like at the close of the apostolic age. For example, Justin takes us on a tour of a Christian baptism and a typical Sunday morning church service. He lets us know what Christians in his age believed about Jesus, salvation, predestination, communion, and life after death.
Octavius, written by a Christian lawyer named Mark Felix, takes a look at Christianity from both the pagan and Christian view points. It's not only one of the most readable early Christian works, but it's also a true work of literature. Felix writes in a graceful style that rivals that of Cicero, and his defense of Christianity is truly inspiring. In the end, Octavius is more than a challenge to the pagan Romans it's a challenge to the twentieth century church as well.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Readable and Accesible, with a Nice Price,
By Timothy Dougal (Joliet, IL United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: We Don't Speak Great Things - We Live Them (Paperback)
In 'Greek and Roman Philosopy After Aristotle', there is and extended excerpt from 'Octavius' by Marcus Minucius Felix. Its summary of pagan Roman views on Christianity was so dead-on accurate, I just had to read the whole thing. Unfortunately, the Christian response isn't as incisive as as the attack. It is primarily a defense of the idea of a single creator god, coupled with the idea that Christians are restrained, ethical and good people. Jesus is not really menitioned at all. Felix's view might be called "Ethical Monotheism". The second work in the book, Justin Martyr's 'First Apology' is very revealing of 2nd century Christian thought, and touches on many practical and philosophical issues, not only regarding Christian practice and paganism, but Jewish uses of Greek philosophy. This book is quite a find. While it is not a new translation, it is a modern, idiomatic, if somewhat oversimplified, rendition of the translations contained in the hoary, 130-something year-old 'Ante-Nicene Library'. Portions of 'Octavius', and Justin Martyr's 'First Apology" are rearranged, to a degree, on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis, and other portions are relegated to appendices, but both works are present in their entirety, and a bit more logical, to modern readers, than the originals. At the price of $..., you'd be silly not to check these accessible, yet ancient works out. See what they were thinking in the 2nd century. They won't bite!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful,
By
This review is from: We Don't Speak Great Things - We Live Them (Paperback)
I picked up this book almost by accident, but once I started reading it, I didn't put it down until I finished it that night. It's compelling and powerful, and inspired me a lot to live more like Christ and to share fearlessly about that life.
One of the top ten best books that I've read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courageous men,
This review is from: We Don't Speak Great Things - We Live Them (Paperback)
This is a book of words of courage. These faithful men stood up to the powers of darkness in a time of tribulation and persecution for the faith and they were SHARP! You will not only learn of early Christian teachings and philosophies but you will also find yourself agreeing with their tactics in reasoning to uncover truths about life and ultimately God.
My 2 other favorite early Christian writings are sold as books called "The One Who Knows God" and "A Glimpse of Early Church Life" by Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian. Read what these men wrote, learn your spiritual ancestral history and what they persevered through to receive the goal of their faith. You will see that ancient man was probably smarter than any of mondern man when it came to philosophy and reasoning.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Do works play any role in salvation? Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
wicked demons Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Son of God, Justin Martyr, Mark Felix, Emperor Antoninus Pius, New Testament, Pontius Pilate, Unbegotten God, Marcus Aurelius, Emperor Hadrian, Firstborn of God, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, Greek Septuagint, Jupiter Latiaris New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Do works play any role in salvation? Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
wicked demons Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Son of God, Justin Martyr, Mark Felix, Emperor Antoninus Pius, New Testament, Pontius Pilate, Unbegotten God, Marcus Aurelius, Emperor Hadrian, Firstborn of God, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, Greek Septuagint, Jupiter Latiaris New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 8
books:
See all 8 books this book cites
- TREATISE ON THE SOUL by Tertullian on page 58
- Iliad and Odyssey by Homer on page 133
- On Prayer by Tertullian on page 92
- The One Who Knows God by Clement of Alexandria in Back Matter
- The Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus on page 133
See all 8 books this book cites
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