The Epistle to Diognetus
An early Christian defence of the faith describing God’s love, Christ’s coming, and the Christian place in the world.
Themes that emerged
From the margins
A quote from this book
Their contempt for worldly things, their fearlessness of death, their rejection of Greek deities and Jewish rituals, the affection they share with one another, and this unprecedented way of life never witnessed before.
Date
- c. AD 130-200
Summary
The Epistle to Diognetus is an anonymous early Christian apologetic work addressed to someone named Diognetus. It explains why Christians reject both pagan worship and certain Jewish practices, before presenting Christianity as God’s revelation through his Son. Its famous description of Christians living within ordinary societies while belonging ultimately to another kingdom offers a striking early reflection on Christian identity and God’s love for humanity.
Memorable Quotations
Their contempt for worldly things, their fearlessness of death, their rejection of Greek deities and Jewish rituals, the affection they share with one another, and this unprecedented way of life never witnessed before.
For He who created heaven, earth, and everything within them, and who provides us with all that we need, cannot possibly require the very things He supplies to those who think they are offering them to Him.
My thoughts
This passage reminded me of the Scriptures where God declares that He does not need our sacrifices as though He lacked anything. Rather, what delights Him is faithful obedience, thanksgiving, and hearts turned towards Him. It is a good reminder to remain grateful for His providence, recognising that everything we offer ultimately comes from Him.
The flesh resents the soul and wars against it, despite not being wronged, merely because the soul refrains from indulgence; likewise, the world resents Christians, although it suffers no harm from them, because they oppose its pleasures.
For God loved humanity, for whose sake He created the world, subjected everything on earth to them, granted them reason and mind, allowed them to gaze up at heaven, created them in His own image, sent His only begotten Son to them, and promised them the heavenly kingdom, which He will give to those who love Him.
whoever takes on the burden of their neighbor, seeks to help those in need with what they have, and becomes a benefactor to others by sharing what they received from God is an imitator of God.
Source
The Apostolic Fathers: Complete Collection of Early Church Fathers, Including Shepherd of Hermas, Didache, Epistles of Ignatius, Martyrdom of Polycarp, Clement, Barnabas, Diognetus and Commentary.
Compiled by Robert Kingswell
Published by Eterna Verba Publishing.
Kindle edition.
Note: Quotations on this page are taken from this edition unless otherwise stated.