The Apology of Aristides

The Apology of Aristides

To the emperor, from Aristides the philosopher of Athens. I, O king, by the providence of God came into the world; and when I considered the heaven and the earth and the sea, the sun and the moon and the rest, I marveled at their order. And seeing that the world and all within it move by necessity, I understood that the one who moves and sustains them all is God, who is himself unmoved—for that which moves is greater than the moved. To search out the mover of all is beyond our grasp; but this much is plain: he has no beginning and no end, is immortal and complete, needing nothing, while all things need him. He has no name, for what has a name is set among created things; no form; no bounds. He is not contained, but contains all. He is wholly wisdom and wholly mercy. Let us now look at the human race, to see who hold the truth and who stray.

It is clear that there are three orders of people in this world: the worshipers of the many gods, the Jews, and the Christians. Those who worship many gods are of three kinds: Chaldeans, Greeks, and Egyptians; for these became the teachers of idolatry to the rest.

The Chaldeans, not knowing God, went astray after the elements and began to honor the creation rather than the Creator—the sky, the sun, the moon, the earth, the waters. But these are bound by fixed laws and serve another’s order; that which is ruled and ordered cannot be God.

The Greeks, who count themselves wise, erred more grievously, for they brought in many gods, some male and some female, makers of every passion and lawless deed; so that, taking their gods as a pattern, men practiced adultery, theft, and every wickedness. If those they call gods did such things, how shall their worshipers not do worse? From such folly came wars and famines and bitter captivities among men. Yet the gods themselves, by their own tales, suffered and died; which shows them to be only the inventions of men.

The Egyptians, duller still, fell below all the nations; for not content with the worship of the others, they brought in dumb animals of land and water, and plants and herbs, and honored them as gods, defiling themselves and becoming a mockery to all who behold them.

The Jews trace their descent from Abraham, and from Isaac and Jacob, and went down into Egypt and were led out by a mighty hand. They worship one God, the Maker of all, and do good to their neighbors, and show mercy to the poor, and ransom the captive, and bury the dead. In this they come nearer to the truth than the nations. Yet in their observances they serve angels rather than God, keeping sabbaths and new moons and the distinction of foods, and they have not fully understood.

But the Christians trace their line from the Lord Jesus the Anointed. He is confessed to be the Son of the Most High God, who came down from heaven for the salvation of mankind, was born of a Hebrew virgin, took flesh, and appeared among men, that he might call them back from the error of the many gods. Having finished his appointed work, by a death upon the cross he tasted death; and after three days he rose and ascended into heaven. His twelve disciples went out into the regions of the world and taught his greatness with all humility and uprightness; and so those who keep his message are now called Christians.

These, above all peoples, have found the truth. They know God, the Maker of heaven and earth, and worship no other. They do not commit adultery or sexual sin; they do not bear false witness; they do not covet what is not theirs; they honor father and mother; they love their neighbors; they judge justly. Whatever they would not have done to themselves they do not do to another. They comfort those who wrong them and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies. Their wives are pure, and their daughters modest; their men keep from all unlawful union. He who has gives to him who has not, without grudging; and when they see a stranger, they bring him under their roof and rejoice over him as over a true brother. When one of their poor passes from the world, each provides for his burial as he is able; and if they hear that any are imprisoned or oppressed for the name of their Anointed, all give to his need, and ransom him if it can be done. If there is among them one in poverty and want, and they have no abundance to spare, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with food.

They keep the commandments of their Anointed faithfully, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded, giving thanks to him at every hour for every food and drink and good thing. Truly this is a people who have found the truth; and as I have learned from their writings, so I am persuaded. Therefore, O king, let those be silenced who speak vainly against them; for they pray for the world, and through them, I am convinced, the world endures. Cease to persecute them, and if you will, take up their writings and read, and you will find that I have not spoken of my own invention, nor as their advocate merely, but as one who read and was convinced of the truth.