St. Justin’s Martyrdom

Keith's notes

-         Fittingness of God’s humour with St. Justin’s martyrdom

-         I like how St. Justin answered in ch. 2, when examined by Rusticus, giving away where he met personally, but without giving away other locations – by saying they meet everywhere

-         Specifies “vain” idols. All idols are vain, but I like how the writer reminds the reader this by adding such clarity – the odd chance that a pagan might read it perhaps?

-         Scripture says to not think of what you will say when brought before the courts, since Holy Ghost will speak for you; all of them having different answers to most of the questions in chapter 3 (especially related to different ways in testifying of their salvation in Christ and grace), but then giving the exact same answer at the end, I think attests to this (“Do what you will, for we are Christians and do not sacrifice to idols” Ch.4).

-         Moved by the confidence of the saint in passing the test, yet with his noticeable slight words of caution, “hope”, (possibly out of humility)/difference between confidence versus presumption/knows for sure of salvation for martyrs, but specifies that it is if he passes on as an individual

-         For some reason I laughed when St. Justin was insulted and then spoke in response without acknowledging the slight against him (found it impressive but also funny)

-         Does scourging those who are sentenced to death beforehand speak of the blood lust of the heathens? – maybe related to St. Justin’s mentioning of these leaders being controlled by demons who hate Christians

-         Christians secretly gathering the bodies was a very dangerous task, and it shows how much the early Church believed in the resurrection as well as relics, and the charitable act of burying the dead (why else risk your life to do so?) Ch. 5.