In this enlightening conversation, Elizabeth Klein, a Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute, dives into the life and works of St. Justin Martyr, an early Church thinker and martyr. He brilliantly articulates his concept of the 'seeds of the Word' in creation, connecting truth across various philosophies and pagan myths to Christianity. Klein highlights Justin's significant insights on early Christian liturgy, especially the transformation during the Eucharist. The discussion wraps up with a reflection on his enduring legacy of combining faith and intellectual inquiry.
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Justin's Conversion Journey
Justin Martyr tells the story of his intellectual conversion through various philosophical schools and an encounter with an old man.
This encounter challenges him to accept divine revelation as necessary to truly know God.
insights INSIGHT
Seeds of the Word Concept
Justin Martyr believes the "seeds of the Word" are present throughout all creation and human cultures.
Truth found in other philosophies or myths is seen as imperfect reflections of Christ's truth.
insights INSIGHT
Christianity Embraces Truth Everywhere
Justin and other early Church Fathers embrace truth from philosophy and sciences as compatible with faith.
They advocate investigating opposing views rather than fearing them, since truth originates from God.
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Written between 413-426 CE, 'The City of God' is a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was a consequence of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors. Augustine argues that Christianity saved the city from complete destruction and that Rome’s fall was due to internal moral decay. The book divides humanity into two metaphorical cities: the City of God, characterized by devotion to God, and the City of Man, characterized by self-love. It also outlines Augustine’s theological interpretation of human history, from the Creation to the Second Coming of Christ, and critiques paganism and pagan philosophy while presenting the true history of the City of God[2][5][6].
Dialogue with Trifo
Dialogue with Trifo
Justin Martyr
Summa theologica
Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologica is a comprehensive work divided into three parts. The first part deals with God, the creation of the world, angels, and the nature of man. The second part is subdivided into two sections: the first part of the second part discusses general principles of morality and law, while the second part of the second part addresses morality in particular, including individual virtues and vices. The third part, left unfinished by Aquinas, focuses on the person and work of Christ and the sacraments. The work also includes a posthumous supplement that concludes the third part and discusses Christian eschatology. Aquinas drew on Aristotelian and Augustinian influences and aimed to integrate faith and reason in his theological arguments[1][2][4].
Dr. Ben Akers sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Klein to discuss St. Justin Martyr—an early Church martyr who lived from about AD 100 to 165 and wrote several significant Christian apologetic works. St. Justin was a convert to the Catholic faith, philosopher, and is famous for his idea of the "seeds of the Word" found throughout all of God's creation. St. Justin explains that all things are created by God and that there are seeds of God's truth found in all things. This allows Justin to confidently seek the truth present in other philosophies and even the pagan myths and draw out what is true and good and relate it to the Word—Jesus Christ.
Catholic Saints 
