Introduction |
Date |
Exegesis |
Conclusion |
References
Introduction
St. Aristides of Athens is was one of the earliest Christian apologists, from the second century CE [ce]. Although his works do mention Jesus as Messiah, (unlike those of Justin Martyr), they only obliquely mention him as a recent historical figure.
(One matter of some confusion is that St. Aristides seems to have had a contemporary with a similar-name. Aelius Aristides was a second century philosopher who apparently described the Christians as "impious men from Palestine").
[je]
Dating Aristides
The fourth century writer Eusebius claimed that St. Aristides's apology was presented to the Emperor Hadrian in 125 CE. The introduction to Aristides work in The Ante-Nicene Fathers states:
"In regard to the date of Aristides, Eusebius says expressly that the Apology was presented to Hadrian while he was in Athens about the year a.d. 125. The only ground for questioning this statement is the second superscription given in the Syriac version, which implies that the Apology was presented to Antoninus Pius, a.d. 188-161. This heading is accepted be Professor Harris as the true one; and he assigns the Apology to "the early years of the reign of Antoninus Pius; and it is at least conceivable," he adds, "that it may have been presented to the Emperor along with other Christian writings during an unrecorded visit of his to his ancient seat of government at Smyrna." But this requires us to suppose that Eusebius was wrong; that Jerome copied his error; that the Armenian version curiously fell into the same mistake; and that the Syriac translator is at this point exceptionally faithful. So perhaps it is better with Billius, "not to trust more in one's own suspicions, than in Christian charity which believeth all things," and to rest in the comfortable hypothesis that Eusebius spoke the truth." [rd]
(The dates given for Antonious Pius are confusing. He was in fact Emperor from 138-161 CE. His successor Marcus Aurelius ruled with co-counsel from 161-180 CE. [re])
Eusebius' mentions of Aristides are short:
"Aristides also, a believer earnestly devoted to our religion, left, like Quadratus, an apology for the faith, addressed to Adrian. His work, too, has been preserved even to the present day by a great many persons." [ea]
However, the original discover of the texts Professor James Rendel Harris argued forcefully that the works should be dated later to the time of Antonious Pius, rather than to Hadrian [cc].
Given the general unreliability of Eusebius and the lack of other Christian writings referring to Christ as a historical figure before that time, it seems likely that Eusebius was in error, and to date Aristides towards the end of the second century rather than at the beginning.
Exegesis
The Apology of Aristides is one of the earliest works to clearly state that Jesus Christ was a real person, born of a virgin. He wrote:
"The Christians, then, trace the beginning of their religion from Jesus the Messiah; and he is named the Son of God Most High. And it is said that God came down from heaven, and from a Hebrew virgin assumed and clothed himself with flesh; and the Son of God lived in a daughter of man. This is taught in the gospel, as it is called, which a short time was preached among them; and you also if you will read therein, may perceive the power which belongs to it. This Jesus, then, was born of the race of the Hebrews; and he had twelve disciples in order that the purpose of his incarnation might in time be accomplished. But he himself was pierced by the Jews, and he died and was buried; and they say that after three days he rose and ascended to heaven. Thereupon these twelve disciples went forth throughout the known parts of the world, and kept showing his greatness with all modesty and uprightness. And hence also those of the present day who believe that preaching are called Christians, and they are become famous." [aa]
He makes no mention of the cross; crucifixion; David; ill feeling towards the Jews; Jesus's parents, life or trial; the "Logos"; Pilate; miracles; prophesy; scriptures or the Trinity. He does not name the parents of Jesus, or give an indication of when he lived.
He does talk of Jesus as being the "Messiah" and "pierced by the Jews". He refers to "the gospel, as it is called, which a short time was preached among them", and Christian "writings - but is no more specific.
He also says that the Jews had "erred from true knowledge", and that "the Greeks... follow base practices in intercourse with males, and a mother and a sister and a daughter, impute their monstrous impurity in turn to the Christians."(!)
Conclusion
Aristides' Apology seems to be the first mention by a non-canonical Christian writer of the person of Jesus, although he barely mentions Jesus as a historical figure.
It seems also that Eusebius was mistaken with his dates and that Aristides' presented his apology to the Emperor Antonious Pius (138-161 CE) instead of to Hadrian (c. 125 CE).
(This document is a work in progress. Please contact me with any further information.)
References
- St. Aristides the Philosopher of Athens: Apology, from EarlyChristianWritings.com. [aa]
- The Early Apologists Soptic Church.net [probably referring to James Rendel Harris, The Apology of Aristides on behalf of the Christians from a Syriac Ms. preserved on Mount Sinai edited and tranl. With an appendix by J. A. R. (TSt 1,1), Cambridge 1891, 18932 (= Nachdr. Nendeln 1967) (p. 65-112). See also The New International Dictionary Of The Christian Church.Ed.J.D.Douglas.] [cc]
- Aristides, Catholic Encyclopedia. [ce]
- Church History: (iv.3), Eusebius Pamphlias, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. I. [ea]
- The Early Evidence: The first one-and-a-half centuries of Christianity., Quentin David Jones, 2002. [je]
- The Imperial Index: The Rulers of the Roman Empire, Roman Emperors.org [re]
- Roberts-Donaldson Introduction to Aristides [rd]
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