Wisdom from the Apostolic Fathers: Justin the Martyr (Part 2)

Recently, I have been reading the Dialogue of Justin, Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho, a Jew.  This amazing work by Justin the Martyr is a great piece of literature, which aided the intellectual defense of Christian dogma and thought. On the third chapter of this work, Justin has not yet been converted to Christianity and is conversing with a Christian man at a tree. During this conversation, they start discussing the nature of knowledge and the soul. The following comes from that conversation.


"Old Man (Interrupting): Does philosophy, then, make happiness?
Justin: Assuredly, and it alone.
Old Man: What, then, is philosophy? And what is happiness? Pray tell me, unless something hinders you from saying.
Justin: Philosophy, then, is the knowledge of that which really exists, and a clear perception of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and wisdom.
Old Man: But what do you call God?
Justin: That which always maintains the same nature, and in the same manner, and is the cause of all other things—that, indeed, is God.

So I answered him; and he listened to me with pleasure, and continued to interrogate me.

Old Man: Is not knowledge a term common to different matters? For in arts of all kinds, he who knows any one of them is called a skilful man in the art of generalship, or of ruling, or of healing equally. But in divine and human affairs it is not so. Is there a knowledge which affords understanding of human and divine things, and then a thorough acquaintance with the divinity and the righteousness of them?
Justin: Assuredly.
Old Man: What, then? Is it in the same way we know man and God, as we know music, and arithmetic, and astronomy, or any other similar branch?
Justin: By no means.
Old Man: You have not answered me correctly, then, for some [branches of knowledge] come to us by learning, or by some employment, while of others we have knowledge by sight. Now, if one were to tell you that there exists in India an animal with a nature unlike all others, but of such and such a kind, multiform and various, you would not know it before you saw it; but neither would you be competent to give any account of it, unless you should hear from one who had seen it.
Justin: Certainly not.
Old Man: How, then, should the philosophers judge correctly about God, or speak any truth, when they have no knowledge of Him, having neither seen Him at any time, nor heard Him?
Justin: But, father, the Deity cannot be seen merely by the eyes, as other living beings can, but is discernible to the mind alone, as Plato says; and I believe him." (Source)

Let us all be encouraged by this revelation.  We all can be changed.
"It is impossible for a Cynic, who makes indifference his end, to know any good but indifference."  
(http://earlychristianlife.blogspot.com/2010/11/quotes-from-justin-martyrs-second.html)