Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T22:25:41.520Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

6 - Epistle to Diognetus 1 and 7–12

from Part I - The Beginnings of Christology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2022

Mark DelCogliano
Affiliation:
University of St Thomas, Minnesota
Get access

Summary

This anonymous letter to the otherwise unknown Diognetus is an early Christian apology in epistolary form. Since the seventeenth century it has been included in the collection of early Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers. Most scholars suggest a date between 150 and 200 for its composition – that is, at least for sections 1–10. The original text breaks off before its conclusion, and sections 11–12 were apparently appended at a later date from some other work. Sections 1–10 are addressed to an inquirer who wants to learn more about Christianity, whereas sections 11–12 appeal to Gentile converts to Christianity. The apologetic intent of the epistle is evident from its first part where the author mocks paganism and Judaism, emphasizing instead the distinctiveness and superiority of Christianity in terms of way of life (sections 2–6). In addition to section 1, translated below are sections 7–12. In sections 7–10 the author explicates the role of Christ in God’s plan of salvation. Particular stress is placed on the necessity of acquiring the knowledge of God revealed by Christ and the moral obligation that it entails, which is described as imitating God.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×