The Dialogue with Trypho, composed around 155-160 AD, is a foundational work by the early Christian philosopher and apologist Saint Justin Martyr. Structured as a Socratic dialogue, it records Justin's debate with a Jewish man named Trypho, representing the contemporary discourse between Christians and Jews. In a dialectical style, Justin aims to demonstrate how the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament find fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
This text provides invaluable insight into the biblical interpretation, exegetical methods, and theological reasoning of the 2nd century Church. A central focus is establishing Christianity's relationship to Judaism. Justin contends Christ ushered in the New Covenant, abrogating the Mosaic Law. He argues from scripture that Jesus is the divine Logos incarnate, the prophesied Messiah to whom all scripture points.
Another key issue is the status of Israel after rejecting Christ. Justin sees this justifying God's turning to the Gentile nations to build his Church. He counters Jewish objections to Christian interpretations of scripture being about Christ. Philosophically, Justin defends Christian doctrines like the incarnation as rationally coherent against pagan critiques.
The Dialogue carries immense importance for understanding nascent Christian thought. It preserves the biblical exegesis, theological discourse, and apologetic arguments aimed at convincing Jews and pagans of Christianity's truth. This first-hand testimony illuminates the early Church's self-conception and outlines core doctrinal developments on topics like Christology and the Old/New Covenants. With its sophisticated reasoning, the Dialogue displays the intellectual foundations being laid for the budding Christian tradition.
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Dialogue with Trypho by Saint Justin Martyr