Systems Theology

Early Church Documents

Study key patristic texts with better discovery, better context, and better source navigation.

Back to navigator

Second Apology

Responds to specific injustices against Christians and deepens Justin's argument for moral accountability before God.

Justin Martyrc. AD 1602nd century

Overview

Category
Apologists
Genre
Apology
Tradition
Cross-Tradition
Region
Mediterranean
Original language
Greek
Date certainty
Approximate

Historical context

Manuscript context

Second Apology circulated in Mediterranean and is received through Greek manuscript and translation traditions associated with Justin Martyr.

Themes

ApologeticsPublic WitnessReason and FaithChristology

Controversies

  • Christological debates

Source links

  • English translation

    www.newadvent.org · Source quality: Primary · Last checked: 2026-02-28

  • Archive mirror

    web.archive.org · Source quality: Archive · Last checked: 2026-02-28

Read source

Timeline position

Second Apology

Related documents

  • First Apology

    Justin Martyrc. AD 155

    Defends Christians before imperial authority, describes worship practices, and argues that Christian faith is rational and moral.

  • A Plea for the Christians

    Athenagoras of Athensc. AD 177

    Defends Christians against charges of atheism and immorality and presents a reasoned account of monotheistic belief.

  • The Apology

    Aristidesc. AD 125

    Contrasts Christian life with pagan religion and presents the Christian people as a community shaped by truth and charity.

  • Address to the Greeks

    Tatianc. AD 165

    Critiques pagan philosophy and culture while arguing for Christian truth grounded in revelation and transformed life.

  • Dialogue with Trypho

    Justin Martyrmid 2nd century

    A long scriptural debate about prophecy, covenant fulfillment, and the identity of Jesus as promised Messiah.

  • The Resurrection of the Dead

    Athenagoras of Athenslate 2nd century

    Argues philosophically and theologically for bodily resurrection as consistent with justice, creation, and divine purpose.

  • To Autolycus

    Theophilus of Antiochc. AD 180

    Addresses a pagan critic by defending Christian doctrine, creation theology, and scriptural credibility.

  • The Apology

    Tertullianc. AD 197

    Defends Christians under Roman suspicion and argues that persecution is unjust, irrational, and morally inconsistent.