The Apology of Justin Martyr

Literary Strategies and the Defence of Christianity

by David E. Nystrom

Book cover: The Apology of Justin Martyr

Extent: 182 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 462

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(May 2018)

ISBN: 9783161557613

Price: $99.00

Out of stock

In his Apologia pro Christianis, Justin Martyr uses some major apologetic strategies to defend and promote Christianity. These are here identified as the ‘logos doctrine’, the ‘theft theory’, the ‘proof from prophecy’ and the demonological arguments. David E. Nystrom analyses each strategy on its own terms as well as in relation to the others in order for them to yield a picture of how they work, rhetorically and literarily, in Justin’s grand argument. He also explores possible literary models as well as the purpose and function of the literary form Justin chose for his work.


In his Apologia pro Christianis, Justin Martyr uses some major apologetic strategies to defend and promote Christianity. These are here identified as the ‘logos doctrine’, the ‘theft theory’, the ‘proof from prophecy’ and the demonological arguments. David E. Nystrom analyses each strategy on its own terms as well as in relation to the others in order for them to yield a picture of how they work, rhetorically and literarily, in Justin’s grand argument. He also explores possible literary models as well as the purpose and function of the literary form Justin chose for his work.

  • By (author) David E Nystrom