world religion home links maps symbols |
Encyclopedia of Religion entry forApologeticsThat branch of theology which is occupied specially with the defense of Christianity as a divinely-revealed system of religion. The term is still commonly used in Germany. In England the designation "Christian Evidences" seems to be preferred as a modern description. In the early days of the Church, Christian writers wrote " Apologies " in reply to charges brought against the " brethren," and in order to remove occasion of persecution. Thus one Quadratus addressed an Apology to the Emperor Hadrian (A.D. 117-138), which is referred to by Eusebius (Church History, iv. 3), Aristides and Justin addressed one to the Emperor Antoninus (A.D. 138-161). Justin, also famous for his dialogue (c. A.D. 135) with the learned Jew Trypho, wrote this Apology c. A.D. 152. In it he refutes the charges brought against the Christians and explains their meetings and religious practices. The essay is not free from in-accuracies. Later two Asiatic bishops, Melito, Bishop of Sardis, and Apollinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis, addressed Apologies to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 169-177). Of the former only fragments have been preserved by Eusebius (Church History, Iv. 26). The latter has been lost, as has that also of Miltiades (Ems. C.H., v. 17). Another Apology was that of Athenagoras, another Athenian philosopher. It was addressed to the Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus (A.D. 177-180). This has been preserved. All these apologies were followed by a number of Orations and Addresses to the Greeks. See Louis Duchesne, Hist. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
|
|
admin Be ordained with free online ordination |
||