3 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 32 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
What does it mean to live as a foreigner at home—and as the soul within the world?
Diognetus, an educated outsider, wants clear answers about Christians. Why do they reject Greek gods and Jewish ceremonies? Who is their God, and why is their faith so new? In The Epistle to Diognetus, an unknown Christian writer replies with a calm argument that reads more like a speech than a quarrel.
The letter moves from criticism of idols and religious rites to a vivid portrait of ordinary believers. They share their neighbours’ cities, language and customs, yet understand their belonging differently. The writer then presents Christian teachings about God’s Word, patience and redemption, linking an account of divine love to a life of imitation.
What you’ll discover
- An outsider’s pointed questions Follow Diognetus’s inquiry into a faith whose beliefs and practices demand an explanation.
- Idols under close scrutiny Watch the writer challenge Greek worship by examining the shaped matter of its gods.
- A dispute over ritual Explore why the author accepts Jewish rejection of idols but argues against Jewish ceremonies.
- Foreigners in familiar streets Meet the letter’s Christians, outwardly like their neighbours yet described as the world’s soul.
- Patience and divine love Consider the author’s account of God’s patient plan and its call to imitate divine love.
Who will love it
For anyone curious about how Christians explained themselves to their neighbours in the Roman world, and for readers who enjoy short, clear arguments about belief and daily life.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Diognetus asks questions and gets a gentle reply
- Idols are only shaped matter
- Jewish rites are also set aside
- Christians live as the soul of the world
- God sent his Word out of patience and love
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet or computer, once the book texts are online.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, once the book texts are online.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 3 minutes, to read today.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in, 32 pages: USD 5.95 when you start free, USD 5.95 on its own.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in. Printing soon: leave your email under Paperback or Hardcover above.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in, 46 pages: USD 5.95 when you start free, USD 5.95 on its own.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in, 46 pages: USD 13.95 when you start free, USD 13.95 on its own.
Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout. The eBook and the audiobook open when the book texts go online.
How it works
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
- We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then USD 0.14 a day in your first year on the yearly plan and USD 0.27 a day after, or USD 0.66 a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
Bought on its own? Every eBook, audiobook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Epistle to Diognetus
by Anonymous · 150
An unknown Christian answers Diognetus and portrays believers as the soul within the body of the world.
ChallengingUnder 2 hours to readEnglish
Excellent
- Read, large type too
- Print and large print at cost
- 5 accounts for the price of one
Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device
Read free3 months free · cancel anytimeFree for 3 months, then USD 0.14 a dayCancel anytimeHow it works
In short
What if the best defence of a faith were simply a calm description of how its people live? The Epistle to Diognetus is a short letter from an unknown Christian writer to a man named Diognetus.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Diognetus asks questions and gets a gentle reply
Diognetus wants to know what God the Christians trust, why they refuse the gods of the Greeks, why they do not keep the ways of the Jews, and why they love one another so much. He also asks why this new people has appeared only now.
The writer does not treat him as an enemy. He prays that he may speak well and that Diognetus may listen well. That gentleness runs through the whole letter and sets it apart from angrier defences of the same age.
Free for 3 months · Cancel anytime
You looked at
Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 3 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
- Paperback
- Light and easy to carry. A real book for the bedside table and the beach.
- Large print paperback
- Bigger, clearer type. Easy on the eyes for long evenings and for reading aloud.
- Large print hardcover
- Bigger, clearer type. Easy on the eyes for long evenings and for reading aloud.
See the type size
Pick a size and read a line at that size. Hold your phone at reading distance.
An unknown Christian answers Diognetus and portrays believers as the soul within the body of the world.
Shown close to the printed size on most screens.
Details
- First published
- 150
- Language
- English
- Level
- Challenging
- Paperback
- 32 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Large print paperback
- 46 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Large print hardcover
- 46 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Delivery and returns
- Printed when you order. Usually here in 12 to 14 days.Arrives Thu 12 Nov to Wed 18 Novto United States, printed for you at cost
For Christmas, order by Thu 12 Nov
Free gifts
USD 580 in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
USD 170FREE - Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any device
USD 120FREE - 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languages
USD 60FREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
USD 60FREE - 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at home
USD 170FREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
Questions about The Epistle to Diognetus
Can I read it free?
Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy just the printed book?
Yes. The paperback costs USD 5.95 on its own. Start free and you pay the cost of printing: USD 5.95 for this paperback, and any other book at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print.
How many accounts do I get?
Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.
What is the Epistle to Diognetus about?
It is a letter answering a man named Diognetus, who asks why Christians reject Greek gods and Jewish ceremonies, who their God is, and why their faith is new. The writer explains Christian belief and daily life.
Who wrote the Epistle to Diognetus and when?
The author is unknown. It was once attributed to Justin Martyr, but few accept that today.
Who was Diognetus?
Diognetus is the person to whom the letter is addressed, an educated and curious non-Christian. Nothing certain is known of him.
More like this
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
