7/26/17
Justin on the Sole Government of God. (translated by Rev. G. Reith, M.A. Loc. 9969-10210 in The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene & Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection. Catholic Way Publishing, 2014. ANF 01 The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus.Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 5, Loc. 10105-10196.
In chapter 5 Justin speaks to the question of the “false gods.” Citing Menander in the Auriga, the trustworthy god is the one “Who stays at home, a just and righteous God, to give salvation to His worshipers” (Loc. 10111). Again, in the Sacerdos, Menander says, “There is no God, O Woman, that can save One man by another; if indeed a man, With sound of tinkling cymbals, charm a god Where’er he listeth, then assuredly He who doth so is much the greater god (Loc. 10111). Menander also says, “Tell me where, O Getas, in the world, ‘Tis possible to find out righteous gods?” (Loc. 10123). In the Depositum he says “There’s an s judgment, as it seems, Even with the gods” (Loc. 10123). Justin quotes Euripides’ Orestes, “We serve the gods, whoever they may be, But from the central regions of the earth You see Apollo plainly gives response” (Loc. 10129). Euripides also says in Hippolytus, “But on these points the gods do not judge right” (Loc. 10135) and in Ion an extended passage demonstrates the failure of the Olympians. “But in the daughter of Erechtheus What interest have I? For that pertains Not unto such as me . . . “ (Loc. 10135). Justin continues with Euripides, in Archelaus, “‘Full oft, my son, do gods mankind perplex’ and in Bellerophon: ‘They are no gods, who do not what is right’” (Loc. 1154). Justin goes on to Menander in Diphilus, giving praise “To Him who Father is, and Lord of all; Sole maker and preserver of mankind” (Loc. 10173). Also in Piscatores, “I deem that which nourishes my life Is God; but he whose custom ‘tis to meet The wants of men, He needs not at our hands Renewed supplies” (Loc. 10179). In Fratres Menander says, “God ever is intelligence to those Who righteous are: so wisest men have thought” (Loc. 10179). In Tibicinae he asks, “What is the mind, but just the voice of God within us placed” (Loc. 10179). In Phrixus, “But if the pious and the impious Share the same lot, how could we think it just, if Jove, the best, judges not uprightly?” (Loc. 10185). In Philoctetes he says, “You see how honurable gain is deemed Ever to the gods; and how he is admired Whose shrine is laden most with yellow gold” (Loc. 10185). And in Hecuba Euripides says, “Jupiter, whether thou are indeed A great necessity, or the mind of men, I worship thee!” (Loc. 10191).