Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus
Home > Church Fathers > Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus At a Glance Letter Genre: (2/5) ** Reliability of Dating: (2/5) ** Length of Text: Greek Original Language: Ancient Translations: Modern Translations: English Estimated Range of Dating: 130-200 A.D. Chronological List of Early Christian Writings Discuss this text on the Early Writings forum. Text English Translation by J. B. Lightfoot Roberts-Donaldson English Translation Resources Roberts-Donaldson Introduction Wace Introduction Kirsopp Lake's Introduction Handbook of Patrology: The Letter to Diognetus Catholic Encyclopedia: Epistle to Diognetus Offsite Links Geoff Trowbridge's Introduction The Christian Life in the Epistle to Diognetus Recommended Books for the Study of Early Christian Writings Information on the Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus Robert M. Grant describes the epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, v. 2, p. 201): A late 2d century apology addressed to a certain Diognetus who is otherwise unknown. Diognetus was a tutor of the emperor Marcus Aurelius, who admired him for his freedom from superstition and sound educational advice (Meditations 1.6), but he is not likely to be the recipient, or even the assumed recipient, of this apology from around A.D. 200. The work itself survived (with other writings ascribed to Justin) only in a 13th century manuscript, formerly at Strasbourg but burned during the invasion of 1870. It is widely believed that the last two chapters were added at a later time. There are two schools as to its dating, one which favors a date approximately 130 CE and the other which favors a date approximately 200 CE or even later in the third century. I am not sure if there is evidence to resolve the question. This work is an apology for the Christians, although the term Jesus or Christ is nowhere found in it, as the author seems to prefer the use of the term "the Word." Some Contemporary Texts Epiphanes On Righteousness (130-160 A.D.) Ophite Diagrams (130-160 A.D.) 2 Clement (130-160 A.D.) Gospel of Judas (130-170 A.D.) Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus (130-200 A.D.) Epistula Apostolorum (140-150 A.D.) Ptolemy (140-160 A.D.) Isidore (140-160 A.D.) Fronto (140-170 A.D.) Go to the Chronological List of all Early Christian Writings Please buy the CD to support the site, view it without ads, and get bonus stuff! Early Christian Writings is copyright © Peter Kirby <E-Mail&gt. Follow @mrpeterkirby MLA Style Kirby, Peter. "Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus." Early Christian Writings. <http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/diognetus.html>. 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