The Apology of Justin Martyr and the Legatio of Athenagoras : Two responses to the challenge of being a Christian in the second century

Most second-century Christians were likely to experience challenges, both internal and external, to the new way of life, belief and worship that they had adopted. With the Apology of Justin Martyr and the Legatio of Athenagoras we encounter responses to the common accusations and an exposition of those aspects of life and belief which the writers considered it important to present to ally and opponent alike. These works deal with similar issues, but from rather different perspectives, and here we attempt to draw out some of the ways in which each writer presented his case, and assess their significance and effectiveness.