reflected upon its authority base (Scripture), its theology, and its organization. It is often the case that organizations, even nations, are forced to define themselves with greater clarity and precision by their competitors and/or enemies. Such was true for the church. Early Christian apologists such as Justin Martyr worked to clarify the nature of the church and Christianity in order to offset misconceptions spread about by outsiders such as pagans and Jews. In like manner, “orthodox” doctrine
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