• Skip to main content

Taylor Marshall

stay salty my friends

  • ABOUT
  • VIDEOS
  • BOOKS
  • SUPPORT
  • STORE
  • NSTI.COM

Justin Martyr on Plato’s dependence on Moses


This is from Saint Justin Martyr, First Apology, ch. 59:

And that you may learn that it was from our teachers–we mean the account given through the prophets–that Plato borrowed his statement that God, having altered matter which was shapeless, made the world, hear the very words spoken through Moses, who, as above shown, was the first prophet, and of greater antiquity than the Greek writers; and through whom the Spirit of prophecy, signifying how and from what materials God at first formed the world, spake thus:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was invisible and unfurnished, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and it was so.”

So that both Plato and they who agree with him, and we ourselves, have learned, and you also can be convinced, that by the word of God the whole world was made out of the substance spoken of before by Moses. And that which the poets call Erebus, we know was spoken of formerly by Moses.

See also: Thomas Aquinas on Plato’s Use of Moses

Dive Deeper

Church History

Theology

Latin Mass

Catholic News

Catholic Life

Culture

GET CONFIDENT IN YOUR FAITH

Explore the fascinating world of Catholic teachings with Dr. Marshall. Together you’ll unpack the brilliant answers the Church gives to tough questions about the Faith. The best part: you go at your own pace. Start this exciting journey today.

JOIN NOW

Enjoying my videos? Sign up here so you never miss the new one.

  • ABOUT
  • VIDEOS
  • BOOKS
  • NEW SAINT THOMAS INSTITUTE
© 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PRIVACY POLICY

  • ABOUT
  • VIDEOS
  • BOOKS
  • SUPPORT
  • STORE
  • NSTI.COM