Lent 2015, Day Three—Justin Martyr

This citation come from Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho, chapter 95.  The dates for Justin Martyr are approximately AD 100-165.  The whole work may be accessed here.

For the whole human race will be found to be under a curse. For it is written in the law of Moses, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them” [Deut 27:26]. And no one has accurately done all, nor will you venture to deny this; but some more and some less than others have observed the ordinances enjoined. But if those who are under this law appear to be under a curse for not having observed all the requirements, how much more shall all the nations appear to be under a curse who practise idolatry, who seduce youths, and commit other crimes? If, then, the Father of all wished His Christ for the whole human family to take upon Him he curses of all, knowing that, after He had been crucified and was dead, He would raise Him up, why do you argue about Him, who submitted to suffer these things according to the Father’s will, as if He were accursed, and do not rather bewail yourselves? For although His Father caused Him to suffer these things in behalf of the human family, yet you did not commit the deed as in obedience to the will of God.

Jerry Shepherd
Lent
February 20, 2015