Natural Law, Logos, and Virtue in Justin Martyr

This volume examines the distinct manner in which Justin Martyr (AD 100 – 165) understood, developed, and made use of the concepts of natural law and virtue in his apologetic efforts in second century Rome.

While the concepts of natural law and virtue have had a long history in shaping western thought more broadly and Christian ethics more narrowly, they largely did so in the context of Christendom. This book explores how Justin’s ethical system aligned and differentiated from other frameworks in his philosophical milieu, demonstrating how Justin applied these concepts in the service of Christian politics, theology, and proselytization. It also offers an important contribution to the study of the development of a Christian ethical system in second century Rome, which in turn provides important insight for those interested in defending and furthering the revival of the natural law and virtue ethics among Christians and our society in general today.

This work offers a helpful introduction to classical ethics as well as insight to Justin’s teachings—including his enigmatic Logos doctrine—and his proper place in the early Christian world, of interest to students and scholars of early Christianity, the history of ethics, and early Christian philosophy.