Folia Theologica 17. (2006)
László Perendy: A Christian Platonist
180 L. PEREND Y tury. E. de Faye, for example, was of the opinion that Justin was immediately under Plato's influence, but he misunderstood Plato's doctrine of God.14 20th century research, however, proved that his statements in connection with the doctrine of God can be understood correctly only if we know about the disputes of his time between the various schools of Middle Platonism. In these philosophical currents it was almost a commonplace that God cannot be given a name, i.e. he cannot be comprehended by any human system of thought. M. Pfättisch thought that according to Justin before God created the world, he demonstrated his power above chaos.15 A. Puech pointed out the fact that the main concern for Justin was to emphasize God's transcendence. He laid particular stress on the statement that only God is dyevviyros'. This attribute can refer only to God, and not to any class of existents.16 It was E. R. Goodenough, who recognized that Justin defends God's transcendence especially against the Stoic concept of immanence. In his opinion God is above movements in space and one of his most important characteristics is that he is unchangeable. He has created and sustains everything. At the same time against the dualistic tendencies he emphasizes that God is the Srurioupyos, who has been incessantly active from the beginning of creation both in the cosmos and in human history.17 In Justin's works God is often called dxwpriTos-, which means that he is not contained by anything. He uses this expression also to demonstrate God's temporal and ontological transcendence. God cannot be identified with the changes in the world, either. It was E. F. Osborn who indicated that JUSTIN's statements are directed also towards the Gnostics when he declares that the Creator and the Redeemer of this world is actually the same person. So creation is not 14 E. DE FAYE, De l’influence du Timée de Platon sur la théologie de Justin martyr, in Études de critique et d'histoire 2/7, Paris, 1896, 169-187. 15 1. M. PFÄTTISCH, Der Einfluß Piatos auf die Theologie Justins des Märtyrers, Paderborn, 1910, 103. 16 A. PUECH, Les apologistes grecs du Ile siècle de notre ère, Paris, 1912, 99-100. 17 E. R. GOODENOUGH, The Theology of Justin Martyr, Jena, 1923, 125.
