Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 55: Trypho Requests Proof of Christ Being God, Without Using Metaphors, and Justin Promises to Provide It
And Trypho replied, "We will remember your explanation if you support this argument with more evidence. But for now, continue your discussion and show us that the Spirit of prophecy acknowledges another God besides the Creator of all things. Be careful not to mention the sun and moon, which, as written, God has given to the nations to worship as gods. Often, the prophets use this way of speaking, saying, 'your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of lords,' often adding, 'the great and strong and terrible [God].' Such expressions are used not because they are truly gods, but to teach us that the true God, who made all things, is the only Lord over those considered gods and lords. To convince us of this, the Holy Spirit spoke through the holy David, saying, 'The gods of the nations, considered gods, are idols of demons, and not gods;' and He condemns those who worship them."
And I replied, "I would not present these proofs, Trypho, by which I know those who worship these idols and similar things are condemned, but instead, I will offer proofs that no one could object to. They will seem strange to you, even though you read them every day; from this, we understand that, due to your wickedness, God has withheld from you the ability to understand the wisdom of His Scriptures. Yet, there are some exceptions to whom, according to the grace of His patience, as Isaiah said, He has left a remnant of salvation, lest your people be completely destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore, pay attention to what I shall cite from the holy Scriptures, which do not need to be explained, only listened to."