"TRANSFORMING DARKNESS AND MATTER": ST. JUSTIN MARTYR AND CREATIO EX NIHILO (original) (raw)

While admitting the ultimate ambiguity of the question, this paper builds a cumulative case arguing in favor of creatio ex nihilo in Justin Martyr. First, I briefly summarize Justin's own account of his conversion to Christianity as it has special significance for his relationship to the Greek philosophical schools. Then, I look at two philosophical considerations which raise further questions with regards to this issue in Justin. Next, I examine the historical context of the relationship between Hellenism, Second Temple Judaism, and Christianity as well as briefly considering the Catholic reaction to Hermogones' denial of creatio ex nihilo. Last, I offer an exegesis of the key passages in Justin, specifically focusing on First Apology 59 and 67 with special attention given to the possible interpretations of Justin's cryptic claim that God created the world by “transforming darkness and matter” (67.8). In light of my exegesis of these passages taken together with other important statements of Justin from his Dialogue with Trypho, and in light of the established philosophical and historical context, I argue that the best and most careful reading of Justin's doctrine of creation necessitates creatio ex nihilo.