Thank you I agree, I've expanded it a little :MrMacSon wrote:These points are very pertinent to clarifying early Christian history -
Some second century Christian apologists show no mention of a life of Jesus Christ.
A letter from Mathetes To Diognetus c.140 has plenty to say about the Word, the Son of God, but no mention they had anything to do with a Jesus Christ, who is never mentioned.
Minucius Felix' Octavius c.150 describes a Christianity without any Jesus Christ, and even seems to reject the Gospel stories by insisting Christians do NOT worship a 'criminal crucified on a cross'.
Tatian c.160 (just before his mentor Justin Martyr died c.163) wrote an Address to the Greeks describing Christian beliefs in terms of the Logos, the first-born Son of God - without mentioning Jesus Christ.
Athenagoras c.170 wrote a Plea for the Christians which says much about the Logos, the Son of God, but nothing of Jesus Christ. Athenagoras even wrote a lengthy work On the Resurrection in which he discusses Christian beliefs about resurrection - without ever once mentioning Jesus Christ or his resurrection.
Theophilus of Antioch 180-192 wrote an Apology To Autolycus explaining and defending Christians beliefs without ever mentioning Jesus Christ once. He explains the meaning of the term 'Christian' like so (the Greek word means anoint, or smear, with oil) :
' And about your laughing at me and calling me Christian, you know not what you are saying. First, because that which is anointed is sweet and serviceable, and far from contemptible. For what ship can be serviceable and seaworthy, unless it be first anointed? Or what castle or house is beautiful and serviceable when it has not been anointed? And what man, when he enters into this life or into the gymnasium, is not anointed with oil? And what work has either ornament or beauty unless it be anointed and burnished? Then the air and all that is under heaven is in a certain sort anointed by light and spirit; and are you unwilling to be anointed with the oil of God? Wherefore we are called Christians on this account, because we are anointed with the oil of God. '
Notably, Theophilus was the very first Christian writer on record to describe a 'Trinity', and it did NOT include Jesus Christ :
' In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries, are types of the Trinity, of God, and His Word, and His wisdom. '
Theophilus even quoted the preamble from the Gospel of John about the 'Word ', but connects it to the divine principle of Reason, not to any Jesus Christ - who is never mentioned.
How bizarre, how bizarre
Theophilus wrote, firmly dated after 180, of a Christianity with NO Jesus Christ in it, and even apparently the first TRINITY with NO Jesus Christ in it.
Kapyong