literaryhistoryo02crut - Carmel Apologetics

332 THE APOLOCHSTS.
we may saMy asst'it thai the apologetic attitude was the
most eonj^enial tu Justin's mind, that he lr>ved argument
better tlian assertion, and convincing men's judgment better
tlian overawing it.
And this is what makes him specially valuable at the present
time. The demand for a reasonable Christianity is not
merely a revolt against the yoke of dogma. It has a deeper
source in the springs of tlie human spirit. A generation
whose mental habits are moulded by comparative science,
by evolution, by democracy, is not likely to acquiesce in any
unreasoned conclusions whatsoever.
There may be a lack of
reverence, but there is no lack of earnestness. The science
of religion, by comparing together the various religions of
mankind, does not mean to be, and need not be, destructive.
Justin's apologetic method supplies as it were a parable of
our own controversies. He assumes notliiug as incontrovertible
except the facts of history, or what lie believes to be
such, and on these he l)uil(Is his argument : wliile in matters
bcycdid the reach of Imman research he applies the method
of analogy.
It follows from this fundamental characteristic of Justin's
mind that he is also lil)eral in his judgments. His attitude
towards Trypho, towards the Judaising sects, and towards
the noblest of the heathen, is remarkably indulgent. Yet
Justin could be severe too. The taint of paganism in the
theories of the (Jnostics was abhorrent to him. And still
moiv unsparingly did he denounce the ditheism of Marcion,
whom he speaks of as the Church's most formidable foe.
Tlicn^ is no real inconsistency in this twofold attitude.
Wlicre the error lay in iiiipcrfcct a])pn'hension of trutli, he
was i'ver ready witli the sympathy of superior eidightenment.
l)Ut where it lay in the perversion of truth, either by way of
iiccommodation to heathenism, or of mere antagonism to the
Jewish creed, he roused tlie entire energy of his nature in
stern antagonism, and cared not for the enmity he provoked.
It is impossible not to admire his feixrless courage, liis outs])oken
honesty. To such as him tlie crown of tlic^ martyr
c(»mes as the natural, almost the ineviUible,end of life's battle.