A Bold Defense of the Faith from One of the Earliest Christian Apologists

Written in the late second century, Theophilus to Autolycus offers a powerful example of early church apologetics—engaging pagan philosophy, history, and Scripture to defend Christianity against its cultured critics.

• A reasoned Christian response to ancient skepticism

• Bridges Greek philosophy with biblical theology

• Rich source of early Christian views on creation, Scripture, and the Logos

• Ideal for readers of early church writings and Christian apologetics

• Newly translated in accessible modern English

In this three-part work, Theophilus, bishop of Antioch, writes to his friend Autolycus—a well-read pagan skeptical of Christianity—to demonstrate that faith in Christ is not only rational, but historically and morally superior to pagan thought. He challenges the inconsistencies of Greco-Roman mythology, defends the antiquity and reliability of the Hebrew Scriptures, and introduces key doctrines such as monotheism, resurrection, divine judgment, and the Logos.

Theophilus argues that God, though unseen, is knowable through reason, conscience, and creation—laying early groundwork for Christian natural theology. He presents Christianity as both intellectually credible and morally compelling, contrasting its teachings with the cultural decadence of the Roman world.

This edition provides a clear, modern translation of a foundational Christian apologetic text. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in how the early church answered its critics, explained its beliefs, and invited skeptics into a new way of seeing the world.

For students of early Christian thought, defenders of the faith, and readers of classical apologetics, Theophilus to Autolycus remains a timeless testimony to the reasonableness—and beauty—of Christian truth.