Why does the most eminent Christian Father Justin Martyr write mostly on the Apocryphal Books but none from the four Gospels of the New Testament if it existed during his time?

Answer 1

Justin wrote three major works which we have available still today (although some believe his two 'Apologies' were really written as one work). Apart from his First and Second Apologies, his other work was a Dialog with Trypho.

Evidence from these works would indicate he has a high regard for Bible Prophecy and quoted, especially in the First apology, from a large number of Old Testament prophecies.

In his earlier writing the 'Dialog with Trypho' he is attempting to show the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Again here he quotes both from the Old Testament prophecies and from the gospels to show their historic fulfillment in the incarnation and life of Christ.

From this evidence it would appear that the presupposition of the question itself has no basis in fact.

Below are a number of specific quotes from the New Testament Gospels as part of Justin's discussion of the Eucharist in his First Apology:

"Chapter LXVI.-Of the Eucharist.

And this food is called among us Eu0xaristi/a [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me,this is My body; "and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood; "and gave it to them alone..." (emphasis added)

He thus here not only referred to the Gospels but quoted directly from them.

OpinionJustin Martyr often wrote about the Apocryphal books including the Gospel of the Holy Twelve and not from the Gospels of the New Testament, because The NT Gospels were none existent during his time. Justin Martyr was born in 100 CE and died in 165 CE.

Justin Martyr quoted extensively from the Old Testament in his writings, particularly in his 'Dialog with Trypho.' So, in the first instance, he quoted a lot more frequently from the Old Testament than the New Testament. Secondly, there is no evidence that he quoted from a document such as the 'Gospel of the Holy Twelve' which likely didn't exist in his day, since it is the creation of one, the pantheist, Gideon Ousley. Early in 1900 this work appeared when it was first published in instalments in a local paper "The Lindsey & Lincolnshire Star." There is no evidence of it being of ancient origin or existing in Justin's day.