Although neither author nor recipient is known for certain, the letter to diognetus purports. Inferences for contemporary ecclesial experience doru costache abstract. They all agreed on the music style, the mode of baptism, and the color of the carpet. Introductory note to the epistle of mathetes to diognetus by arthur cleveland coxe, from the antenicene fathers. It is the epistle of mathetes to diognetus, and can be found in volume i of the early church fathers, which is available on the ccel site here if you are unfamiliar with navigating ccel, click on the pink arrows next to each section, in this case mathetes, to expand the contents. Epistle of mathetes to diognetus the puritan board. In recent times otto has inserted it among the works of that. Epistle to diognetus the catholic encyclopedia bible. It is very hard to find a better introduction to late 1st century christianity than the letter to diognetus. Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or. Epistle to diognetus translated by alexander roberts and james donaldson, 1867.
Letter to diognetus early christian work britannica. Diognetus the epistle of mathetes to diognetus chapter i occasion of the epistle. I an anonymous brief for christianity presented to diognetus the mystery of the new people. We must be content to leave both points in hopeless obscurity, and simply accept the epistle as written by an earnest and intelligent christian to a sincere inquirer among the gentiles, towards the close of the apostolic age. 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. For a considerable period after its publication in 1592, it was generally ascribed to justin martyr. 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. 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. Grant describes the epistle of mathetes to diognetus the anchor bible dictionary, v. The author explores chapters five and six of the letter to diognetus for a traditional alternative to the problematic attitudes regarding secular society that occur in contemporary christianity.
The greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known. Early christians faced challenges that were related to their own specificity andor identity. Of interest in diognetus is the inspiring solution offered for christians living in hostile societies. 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. Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor marcus aurelius, who admired him for his freedom. The letter to diognetus is a defense of christianity composed in the form of a letter addressed to a certain diognetus. 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. Epistle to diognetus kindle edition by mathetes anonymous. The letter to diognetus is one of the most powerful and useful writings of early christian history. Epistle to diognetus wikisource, the free online library. Nor can a single word be said as to the person named diognetus, to whom the letter is addressed. The christians in the world christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs.
Although neither author nor recipient is known for certain, the letter to. Since i perceive, most excellent diognetus, that you are exceedingly zealous to learn the religion of the christians and are asking very clear and careful. The letter or epistle to diognetus is a second or thirdcentury work that defends the doctrines of christianity. For christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language or custom. The anonymous author of this epistle gives himself the title mathetes a disciple. The writer addresses the most excellent diognetus, a welldisposed pagan, who desires to know what is the religion of christians. He seems to be a highranking pagan, or the emperor himself his name means known by zeus.
The greek writer and recipient are not otherwise known, but the language and other textual evidence dates the work to. I understand, sir, that you are really interested in learning about the religion of the christians, and that you are making an accurate and careful investigation of the subject. Since i see thee, most excellent diognetus, exceedingly desirous to learn the mode of worshipping god prevalent. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Instead, im trying to show you what early christianity was like. The identification of diognetus with the teacher of marcus aurelius, who bore the same name, is at most plausible. The epistle is an apologetic work which aims to defend christianity to outsiders. It is a simple, insightful look at early christian life and doctrine. 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 of diognetus pdf the christians in the world. Epistle to diognetus pdf this type of writing is also called an apologetics letter or an apology. Epistle to diognetus translated by joseph barber lightfoot, from apostolic fathers, 1891 external scan works about this text. 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, to the late 2nd century, with the latter often preferred in modern scholarship. It is often included with the works of the apostolic fathers. While drawing a line between the christian ethos and the spirit of. The epistle to diognetus is particularly interesting amongst the apostolic literature which it is traditionally included with in that along with the fragments of quadratus, it is not written to other christians, but rather to nonbelievers. Letter to diognetus, an early christian apologetic work probably dating from the 2nd or 3rd century ad. Introductory note to the epistle of mathetes to diognetus a. Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor marcus aurelius, who admired him for his freedom from superstition and sound educational. Epistle to diognetus epistle of mathetes to diognetus. According to this theory the author of the epistle is aristides, diognetus j. Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom.
Epistle to diognetus pdf works well and provides a convenient service for helping to keep your screen clear and organized as you work. It was the last perfect church left in the whole world. Clement to the corinthians, first epistle, 1st century a. The tutorial and tips that come along with this program give a complete overview of the program and its features. Full text of the epistle to diognetus internet archive. I can see that you deeply desire to learn how christians worship their god. Information on the epistle of mathetes to diognetus. I understand, sir, that you are really interested in learning about the religion of the christians, and that you are making an. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus bible study tools. A late 2d century apology addressed to a certain diognetus who is otherwise unknown. After the salutation, the writer declares that he would communicate to his brethren something of that which he had himself received all hail, you sons and daughters, in the name of our lord jesus christ, who loved us in peace. Some believe it was written in the first century while others think the late second. The most elaborate of the theories built upon the supposed relation between the epistle and the apology is that of kihn. It is, in point of thought, sentiment, and style, decidedly superior to the works of any of the apostolical fathers, and is deserving of.
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, which in greek simply means disciple. Epistle of mathetes to diognetus early christian writings. The church and the world in the letter to diognetus. Quotes from the epistle to diognetus i am uncertain as to who specifically diognetus is, and to when this letter was written.
Letter to diognetus christian history for everyman. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus is an example of christian apologetics, writings defending christianity against the charges of its critics. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The following interesting and eloquent epistle is anonymous, and we have no clue whatever as to its author. Everyone treated each other with kindness and respect. Introduction due to its ability to defy any definitive interpretation, the epistle of barnabas has continuously attracted the attention of biblical scholars. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric way of life. The epistle of mathetes to diognetus a late 2d century apology addressed to a certain diognetus who is otherwise unknown. Epistle to diognetus resources online and in print. Both the author also called mathetes and diognetus are unknown to us. The greek text with introduction, translation and notes.