Letter to Diognetus: A Great Defence of the Faith

The exact date of the Epistle to Diognetus is unknown, but it definitely dates to the Age of the Apostolic Fathers, between 130 AD and 180 AD.

From Everday for Life Canada

The Epistle or Letter to Diognetus is an old Christian document that goes back to the second century. The message is addressed in Greek to Diognetus. However, the identity of the author nor of Diognetus is known for certain. Nevertheless the letter is a powerful defence of Christian belief. What is also of interest is that the content is still very relevant today. It is news that has remained news.

We learned about the Letter in a recent interview by Candace Owens of Bishop Athanasius Schneider.This is how the author tries to capture the attention of Diognetus and every person in the opening two sentences.

I see, Diognetus, that you are very much in earnest about investigating the religion of the Christians and make very exact and careful inquiries concerning them. Who is the God in whom they trust—you wonder—and what kind of cult is theirs, because one and all, they disdain the world and despise death?

Here's section 5 of the Letter:

Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind by either country, speech, or customs; the fact is, they nowhere settle in cities of their own; they use no peculiar language; they cultivate no eccentric mode of life. Certainly, this creed of theirs is no discovery due to some fancy or speculation of inquisitive men; nor do they, as some do, champion a doctrine of human origin. Yet while they dwell in both Greek and non-Greek cities, as each one’s lot was cast, and conform to the customs of the country in dress, food, and mode of life in general, the whole tenor of their way of living stamps it as worthy of admiration and admittedly extraordinary. They reside in their respective countries, but only as aliens. They take part in everything as citizens and put up with everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their home, and every home a foreign land.

They marry like all others and beget children; but they do not expose their offspring. Their board (food) they spread for all, but not their bed. They find themselves in the flesh, but do not live according to the flesh. They spend their days on earth, but hold citizenship in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their private lives they rise above the laws. They love all men, but are persecuted by all. They are unknown, yet are condemned; they are put to death, but it is life that they receive. They are poor, and enrich many; destitute of everything, they abound in everything. They are dishonored, and in their dishonor find their glory. They are calumniated, and are vindicated. They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted and render honor. Doing good, they are penalized as evildoers; when penalized, they rejoice because they are quickened into life. ...

This is section 9:

After, then, He (God) had already planned everything in His own counsels in union with the Son, He yet permitted us, all through the intervening time, to be carried away, just as we chose, by unruly passions—victims of unbridled desires! Not ‘that He took at all delight in our transgressions; no, He merely exercised patience. Nor did He approve of that former era of wickedness, but, on the contrary, was all the time shaping the present era of holiness. It was His intention that we, after our own conduct in the past had proved us unworthy of life, should now be rendered worthy by the goodness of God, and that, after we had demonstrated our inability, as far as in us lay, to enter the kingdom of God, should be enabled to do so by the power of God. And when the cup of our iniquities was filled, and it had become perfectly clear that their wages—the punishment of death—had to be expected, then the season arrived during which God had determined to reveal henceforth His goodness and power. O the surpassing kindness and love of God for man! No, He did not hate us, or discard us, or remember our wrongs; He exercised forbearance and long- suffering!

In mercy, of His own accord, He lifted the burden of our sins! Of His own accord He gave up His own Son as a ransom for us—the Saint for sinners, the Guiltless for the guilty, the Innocent for the wicked, the Incorruptible for the corruptible, the Immortal for the mortal! Indeed, what else could have covered our sins but His holiness? In whom could we, the lawless and impious, be sanctified but in the Son of God alone? O sweetest exchange! O unfathomable accomplishment! O unexpected blessings—the sinfulness of many is buried in One who is holy, the holiness of One, he sanctifies the many who are sinners! In the previous time He had demonstrated our nature’s inability to win life, and now He revealed the Savior who is powerful to save even what is powerless; and on both grounds He wished us to have faith in His loving- kindness, to consider Him Nurse, Father, Teacher, Counsellor, Physician, Mind, Light, Honor, Glory, Strength, Life, and—not to be solicitous about clothing and food!

We hope readers read the entire Letter to Diognetus. It's not that long and well worth reading and meditating on.