Justin Martyr

What is a Non-Biblical Source?

A Non-Biblical source is a person or group of people who have a written a document that is not part of the bible. Although, specifically, in Christian Apologetics, a Non-Biblical source is a person or group of people who wrote a document concerning Jesus, early christianity, the Jews before Jesus, or the Bible. This source would not be a part of the Bible but would be important to Corroberate what it is saying.

Why do Non-Biblical Sources Matter?

Non-Biblical Sources are important for a few reasons. In apologetics, they attest to Jesus's existence, the existence of his followers, and collaberate with the Bible in showing how it is accurate in what it says occured. Both positive Non-Biblical sources and negative Non-Biblical sources towards christianity; do corruborate these things. Also, there is a misconception that the bible is less trustworthy than these Non-Biblical sources. Despite this not being true, people who hold this misconception will have a higher appreciation seeing Non-Biblical Sources attesting to the intellectual credibilty of christianity.

Who was he?

He was a Platonist philosopher who became a Christian apologist in the 2^nd century. He was born in 100 AD in Judea. Most of his works have been lost, but his most notable work among one other has survived. He wrote his first apology in 150 AD.

His writings related to Jesus:

Apology 1.48: “They pierced my hands and my feet” he says, “are a description of the nails that were fixed in His hands and His feet on the cross; and after He was crucified, those who crucified Him cast lots for his garments, and divided them among among themselves; and that these things were were so, you may learn from the ‘Acts’ which were recorded under Pontius Pilate.” Later he says: “That He performed these miracles you may easily satisfied from the ‘Acts’ of Pontius Pilate”