Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Justin Martyr was a figure in early Christianity whose impact on our worship lives today is inescapable. Justin was born in a city in Palestine we now call Nablus (in the bible it is most often called Shechem), and converted to Christianity as a young man. Of his conversion experience, he wrote: "Straightaway a flame was kindled in my soul and a love of the prophets and those who are friends of Christ possessed me." He became a very learned man, and was known as a philosopher, theologian, teacher, and writer.
During Justin's lifetime, it was illegal to openly be a Christian, but Justin would engage in public debates and try to convince people of the truth of the Christian faith. For that reason, he was arrested. Because he would not deny his faith, he and a few of his students were beheaded. The story of early Christianity is filled with stories of people who met with a similar fate. This truth is something that far too often we forget. In our culture, Christianity is considered "the norm," so the idea of being killed for our faith seems very remote. When the church was young, it happened daily.
Justin Martyr is important to us today because of his writings. He described the worship of the church around 150 C.E., and gives us the most detailed and reliable account of what worship was like at that time. Justin Martyr's writings have influenced the church ever since that time. Every time Holy Communion is served, from the Greek Orthodox tradition, to mega-churches, to Roman Catholic churches, to St. John's United Church of Christ, the pattern of the early church as described by Justin Martyr has a huge impact on how the sacrament is performed, whether it is realized or not.
Worship is a confusing thing for many of us, and is something we must all deal with in our life together as Christians. What we consider very traditional in worship may be very new in the grand scheme of things, and things we consider new may in reality be quite ancient. We have a challenge to live up to as Christians; we must worship God in a way that respects and honors our heritage, while it also makes things relevant for those who have not yet joined us. Justin Martyr represents a bold model for all of us. He proclaimed the gospel at the cost of his life, yet also gives us testimony to the very oldest of Christian traditions. As a community we must take on the spirit of Justin Martyr in living the gospel boldly and authentically.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Joel
