Athenagoras of Athens was a Christian apologist and philosopher who lived during the second half of the 2nd century AD. Not much is known about his life, but his writings give us insight into his views on Christianity and pagan beliefs of his time. Here is an overview of what we know about Athenagoras based on his own writings and other historical sources:
His Background
Athenagoras was born around AD 133 in Athens, Greece. He identified himself as an Athenian in his writings, but nothing else is known about his family or early life. He was very well educated in Greek philosophy, rhetoric, and literature. His writings demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Plato and other philosophers. This suggests he may have studied at one of the major philosophical schools in Athens before converting to Christianity later in life.
His Conversion to Christianity
The details surrounding Athenagoras’s conversion are uncertain. Some scholars believe he converted from paganism as an adult after thoughtfully comparing Christianity to the prevailing pagan philosophies. His philosophical approach to defending Christianity in his writings lends support to this theory. Athenagoras stated that he was won over to Christianity by studying the Scripture (see Isaiah 52:15, Romans 1:20, Romans 10:17). He did not seem to grow up as a Christian but made a later-in-life conversion based on intellectual examination.
His Writings
Only two of Athenagoras’s writings have survived antiquity. Both were addressed to Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus:
- A Plea for the Christians – Written around AD 177, this apologetic work was a defense of Christianity against common accusations from pagan critics. He argued that Christians were loyal citizens and their beliefs were reasonable and philosophically sound.
- On the Resurrection of the Dead – This treatise defended the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the body against skeptical views held by some pagan philosophers. Athenagoras argued that the resurrection was compatible with God’s power and consistent with Divine justice.
These two apologies (formal defenses) provide the main sources of information about Athenagoras and his theology. Some 19th century scholars attributed other works to him, but modern scholarship agrees only these two treatises are authentic.
His Theology and Teachings
Athenagoras’s writings reveal he was thoroughly grounded in Greek philosophy and rhetoric. He approached Christian theology from an intellectual perspective, aiming to demonstrate its reasonableness to Roman rulers and pagan intellectuals. Some of his main teachings included:
- God – Athenagoras argued that God’s existence could be known through observing creation and the natural order (see Romans 1:20). He defended the doctrine of the Trinity against charges of polytheism from pagans.
- Creation – Athenagoras believed God created the universe out of nothing and that matter is not eternal. He affirmed that God is the source and ruler of all that exists.
- Human Nature – In contrast to the pagan view that matter is evil, Athenagoras argued that the physical body is fundamentally good since God made humans as embodied creatures. The soul animates the body.
- Free Will – Athenagoras maintained that human beings have freedom to make moral choices. This freedom is the basis of praise or blame for one’s actions.
- Resurrection – Athenagoras wrote extensively in defense of the resurrection of the dead. He argued that God will resurrect and judge all people, granting eternal life to the righteous.
Athenagoras engaged thoughtfully with pagan philosophies and presented reasoned arguments to convince educated Greeks and Romans that Christianity merits consideration and acceptance. His elegant writing style and thorough grasp of Greek thought make his apologetic works valuable resources for understanding Christian perspectives in 2nd century Athens.
When He Lived
As mentioned previously, Athenagoras lived during the latter half of the 2nd century AD. A few key historical details help situate him in context:
- Marcus Aurelius ruled as Roman Emperor from AD 161-180.
- Athenagoras addressed his Plea for the Christians to Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus around AD 177.
- Commodus succeeded Marcus Aurelius as Emperor in AD 180, ruling until 192.
- Other notable Christian apologists of the 2nd century included Justin Martyr, Tatian, and Theophilus of Antioch.
Based on these facts, scholars place Athenagoras’s lifetime around AD 133 to 190. He was a contemporary of Justin Martyr and likely penned his major works in the late 170s, during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
His Significance and Legacy
While less well-known than other apologists of his day, Athenagoras marked an important chapter in the story of Early Christianity in several ways:
- As a Greek convert, Athenagoras exemplified Christianity spreading beyond its original Jewish roots into the broader Greco-Roman world.
- His elegant writings were tailored to reasoned discourse with pagan intellectuals, typical of second generation apologists after the Apostolic Fathers.
- His defense of the resurrection of the dead was one of the earliest full-length treatises on the subject, influencing later Patristic authors.
- As a philosopher-theologian, he merged Christian doctrine with Platonic concepts in a way that would influence early Christian philosophy and theology.
While many of his contemporaries, like Justin Martyr, focused more on Old Testament types and prophecies to defend Christianity, Athenagoras took a more philosophical approach that appealed to the Greek mind. His writings offer a glimpse into the development of Christian thought at an important transitional stage in the 2nd century.
His Role in the History of Christianity
As Christianity spread in the 2nd century AD, Christian apologists became vital in defending and explaining the faith to Greco-Roman culture. Athenagoras filled an important role in Athens during this era:
- As a Greek convert from paganism, Athenagoras helped expand Christianity in the Greek-speaking Eastern Roman Empire.
- His writings provided one of the most articulate philosophical and reasoned defenses of Christianity, aiming to persuade the educated elite.
- Athenagoras gave Christians in Athens an advocate who could relate to Greek ideas. His writings appealed to Greeks interested in their own traditions.
- He represented a strand of Greek apologetics between the Apostolic Fathers and later Christian Platonism and Patristics.
While details of his life remain uncertain, Athenagoras left a lasting impact as an early Christian apologist who translated the faith into concepts familiar to Greek philosophy that would resonate with Hellenistic Roman culture. His elegant blending of Christian theology and Platonic philosophy was indicative of Christianity’s expansion beyond Palestine into the broader Mediterranean world.
Key Events and Moments of His Life
Since little biographical information exists about Athenagoras, there are few specific events known from his life. However, scholars piece together an outline of his life and work based on his writings and the historical context:
- 133 AD – Born in Athens, Greece
- 150s AD – Studies Greek philosophy and rhetoric in youth. Trained in Platonism and Stoicism.
- 160s AD – Comes in contact with Christian teaching. Begins studying Scripture.
- 170s AD – Converts from pagan Greek philosophy to Christianity. Begins writing apologetic works.
- 177 AD – Writes his Plea for the Christians, addressed to Marcus Aurelius.
- 178-180 AD – Composes his treatise On the Resurrection of the Dead.
- 180s AD – Little is known of his later years. Likely continued writing and teaching in Athens.
- 190 AD (approx.) – Passes away in old age having impacted Christian thought in Greece.
This timeline represents scholars’ best estimates based on his surviving writings and their context. His two apologetic treatises form the centerpiece of his work that had ripple effects long after his death.
His Interactions with Other Christian Figures
Since Athenagoras lived around the mid-late 2nd century, he did not directly interact with Jesus or His original disciples of the 1st century. However, he did correspond with some important figures of his day:
- Roman Emperors – He addressed Marcus Aurelius and Commodus in his Plea for the Christians.
- Christian Apologists – He was a contemporary of Justin Martyr, Tatian, and Theophilus of Antioch who also authored defenses of Christianity.
- Platonist Philosophers – He engaged with the ideas of Plato, Aristotle and other Greek philosophers in his writings, showing his familiarity with their thought.
- Bishops and Clergy – He likely had connections with Christian clergy in Athens, though no names are known specifically.
- Pagan Critics – He addressed critics who accused Christianity of atheism, cannibalism (for practices of the Lord’s Supper), and other charges.
Though few specific connections are recorded, his erudite writings suggest Athenagoras was actively involved in the Christian intellectual community of his day as it spread across the Roman world.
His Historical Context
Considering the historical background surrounding Athenagoras helps better situate his apologetic writings:
- Decline of Roman Civic Religion – Traditional Roman cults were declining in fervor, allowing space for new religions like Christianity to spread within the Empire.
- Rise of Neoplatonism – The Platonic revival offered concepts compatible with Christian theology that Athenagoras drew upon.
- Pax Romana – The “Roman Peace” allowed transmission of ideas, trade, and travel across the Mediterranean, facilitating spread of Christianity.
- Persecution – Christian persecution was sporadic; Athenagoras wrote partly as advocacy for tolerance from the government.
- Heresies – Gnosticism, Marcionism, and others challenged Christian orthodoxy. Athenagoras defended traditional doctrine.
This complex historical setting of the Late Roman Empire shaped the context in which Athenagoras formulated his Christian apologetics and engaged with Roman culture and philosophy.
His Lasting Impact and Influence
While not as widely known as other apologists of the era, Athenagoras had a noteworthy impact in several ways:
- His Plea for the Christians is one of the earliest examples of Christian literature addressed directly to Roman Emperors, setting precedent for later apologists.
- His reasoned, philosophical argumentation served as an early model for Christian engagement with Greco-Roman thought and culture.
- His writings were likely the first Christian apologetics many educated pagan Greeks and Romans encountered, shaping their impressions.
- His discourse on the resurrection of the dead was influential on later Patristic authors and the development of Christian theology.
- As a Greek, Athenagoras exemplified early cross-cultural transmission of Christianity in the Roman world beyond Palestine.
While just two written works have survived, Athenagoras left a legacy as an early translator of Christianity into philosophical concepts familiar to the Greek-speaking Eastern Roman Empire in the 2nd century after Christ.