Being Koetschau's text of the De Principiis translated into English, together with an introduction and notes by G. W. Butterworth Origen's On First Principles was the first attempt to formulate a coherent system of Christian philosophy, and also the best expression of the theologian's general opinions. The work is divided into four parts: book one deals with God and creation, book two with creation (rational and irrational natures), providence, and redemption, and book four with the interpretation of Holy Scripture. Origen's views are based upon the authority of the Scriptures and Church tradition, and grounded upon the tenets of Neoplatonism. In On First Principles many maxims are given as to the nature of the Trinity, the person of Christ, and man's free will under the hand of Providence, most of which are considered Orthodox teachings. On the other hand, the principles found in this work that engendered controversy and were later condemned by the Fifth Ecumenical Council in 553, are the preexistence and transmigration of souls, and universal salvation at the consummation of the world. This edition, being Koetschau's English text translated from Rufinus' definitive Latin volume, contains selected fragments of St. Jerome's rendition and the meager remains of the original Greek texts in order to furnish a more comprehensive view of Origen's writings. Also included are in-depth introductions to Origin's life and works by the scholar G. W. Butterworth.
Origen, or Origen Adamantius (184/185 – 253/254), was a scholar, early Christian theologian and Church Father, who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria. He was a prolific writer in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, philosophical theology, preaching, and spirituality. Some of his reputed teachings, such as the pre-existence of souls, the final reconciliation of all creatures, including perhaps even the devil (the apokatastasis), and the subordination of the Son of God to God the Father, later became controversial among Christian theologians. A later group of Egyptian monks who came to be known as Origenists, and who believed in the preexistence of souls and the apokatastasis, were declared anathema in 553 AD. This condemnation is attributed to the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople, though it does not appear in the council's official minutes. For this reason Origen was and is not called a "saint" in either the Catholic or Orthodox churches.
Origen of Alexandria, also known as Origen Adamantius, was an early Christian scholar, ascetic, and theologian who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria.
The treatise of Origen Against Celsus is, of all his works, the most interesting to the modern reader. It is a defense of Christianity in opposition to a Greek philosopher named Celsus, who had attacked it in a work entitled, The True Word, or The True Discourse. Of this work we know nothing, except from the quotations contained in the Origen Against Celsus answer given to it by Origen. Nor has anything very certain been ascertained respecting its author. According to Origen, he was a follower of Epicures, but others have regarded him as a Platonist. If we may judge of the work by those specimens of it presented in the reply of Origen, it was little better than a compound of sophistry and slander. But there is reason to be grateful for it, as having called forth the admirable answer of Origen. This work was written in the old age of our author, and is composed with great care; while it abounds with proofs of the widest erudition. It is also perfectly orthodox; and, as Bishop Bull has remarked, it is only fair that we should judge from a work written with the view of being considered by the world at large, and with the most elaborate care, as to the mature and finally accepted views of the author. His great apologetical work was the treatise undertaken at the special request of his friend Ambrosius, in answer to the attack of the heathen philosopher Celsus on the Christian religion, in a work which he entitled A True Discourse. Origen states that he had heard that there were two individuals of this name, both of them Epicureans, the earlier of the two having lived in the time of Nero, and the other in the time of Adrian, or later. Redepenning is of opinion that Celsus must have composed his work in the time of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 a.d.), on account of his supposed mention of the Marcionites (whose leader did not make his appearance at Rome before 142 a.d.), and of the Marcellians (followers of the Carpocratian Marcellina), a sect which was founded after the year 155 a.d. under Bishop Anicetus. Origen believed his opponent to be an Epicurean, but to have adopted other doctrines than those of Epicurus, because he thought that by so doing he could assail Christianity to greater advantage. The work which Origen composed in answer to the so-styled True Discourse consists of eight books, and belongs to the latest years of his life. It has always been regarded as the great apologetic work of antiquity; and no one can peruse it without being struck by the multifarious reading, wonderful acuteness, and rare subtlety of mind which it displays. But the rule which Origen prescribed to himself, of not allowing a single objection of his opponent to remain unanswered, leads him into a minuteness of detail, and into numerous repetitions, which fatigue the reader, and detract from the interest and unity of the work. He himself confesses that he began it on one plan, and carried it out on another. No doubt, had he lived to re-write and condense it, it would have been more worthy of his reputation. But with all its defects, it is a great work, and well deserves the notice of the students of Apologetics. The table of contents subjoined to the translation will convey a better idea of its nature than any description which our limits would permit us to give.
The Writings of Origen, Vol. 2" is a comprehensive collection of the profound and influential works of Origen, the renowned early Christian theologian and other one scholar. This volume is a part of a larger series which that preserves the rich theological insights and other one biblical interpretations of Origen, who lived in the 3rd century. Within this compilation and readers are exposed to a diverse range of Origen's writings, including theological treatises and scriptural commentaries, and also homilies. Origen's intellectual rigor and innovative approach to interpreting the Bible have left a profound impact on early Christian thought and theology. Throughout the book, Origen explores fundamental Christian doctrines, and which that such as the nature of God, the Trinity, and also the redemptive mission of Christ. He engages in intellectual debates and other one responds to critics, showcasing his dedication to defending and articulating the Christian faith. Origen's writings exemplify a profound understanding of Scripture and a desire to reconcile philosophy with Christian doctrine, making his works an essential part of early Christian intellectual history. "The Writings of Origen, Vol. 2" stands as a valuable resource for scholars, theologians, and all those interested in the development of Christian thought.
Here are the important and influential writings of a Christian mystic and early father of the Church. Origen (c. 185-254) was born in Alexandria and lived through the turbulent years during the collapse of the Roman Empire.
Quintus Tertullian (c. 160-c. 220) is distinguished by being the first major Christian thinker to write in the Latin language. According to Eusebius, he was raised in Carthage, the son of a Roman centurion. Following his conversion to the faith, he became an impassioned defender of the rights of Christians. Origen Adamantius (c. 185-254) taught in Alexandria, reviving the catechetical school of Alexandria in which Clement of Alexandria had taught. His translations, commentaries, and theological works mark him as one of the finest minds of early Christianity. John Cassian (c. 360-435), born in Europe, first joined a monastery in Palestine and then traveled to Egypt to learn from the Desert Fathers. After his return to Europe, he founded a monastery in southern France. His writings would eventually influence St. Benedict, who recommended Cassian's texts to his monks. All three writers in this collection offer reflections on the Lord's Prayer, together with practical advice for prayer. This common ground provides a basis for comparisons, along with a rich picture of Christian spirituality in the ancient world. At the same time, the authors address questions about prayer that are still relevant today.
More than one thousand selections from the various extant writings of Origen, the great Alexandrian theologian. Robert J. Daly has retranslated the majority of these texts from the original Greek and Latin, added the scriptural references in the translated texts and an index, and included updated bibliographical information"--Back cover.
Few works of the early Church are as interesting to the modern reader or as important to the historian as Origen's reply to the attack on Christianity made by the pagan Celsus. The Contra Celsum is the culmination of the great apologetic movement of the second and third centuries AD, and is for the Greek Church what St Augustine's City of God is for Western Christendom. It is also one of the chief monuments of the coming together of ancient Greek culture and the new faith of the expanding Christian society. Thus Origen's work is of interest not only to the historian and theologian, but also to the hellenist. Professor Chadwick's English translation is preceded by a substantial introduction which includes discussion on Celsus' date, identity and theological outlook, as well as an account of Origen's philosophical background and method. The notes elucidate the many obscure allusions of a difficult text.
The Sacred Writings Of ..." provides you with the essential works among the Christian writings. The volumes cover the beginning of Christianity until medieval times. This volume is accurately annotated, including * an extensive biography of the author and his life This edition contains Origen's main works, "Origen De Principiis" and "Origen against Celsus".
Regarded by some as the greatest genius of the early Christian church, Origen of Alexandria was a third century scholar, ascetic and theologian. He was a prolific writer of approximately 2,000 treatises in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics and spirituality. His treatise ‘On the First Principles’ systematically lays out the principles of Christian theology and became the foundation for later theological writings; while the treatise ‘Against Celsus’ is regarded as the most influential work of early Christian apologetics, in which Origen defends Christianity against the pagan philosopher Celsus, one of its foremost critics. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Greek texts. This comprehensive eBook presents Origen’s collected works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Origen's life and works * Features the collected works of Origen in English translation * Includes the original Greek texts of Origen’s two major treatises: ‘On the First Principles’ and ‘Against Celsus’ * Concise introductions to the major works * Includes translations previously appearing in ‘Ante-Nicene Fathers’, 1885 * Excellent formatting of the texts * Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables * Features two bonus biographies, including Eusebius’ fourth century account — discover Origen's ancient world Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to explore our range of Ancient Classics titles or buy the entire series as a Super Set CONTENTS: The Translations On the First Principles (c. 225) [Tr. Frederick Crombie] Commentary on the Gospel of John (c. 227) [Tr. Allan Menzies] On Prayer (c. 235) [Tr. William A. Curtis] Commentary on Matthew (c. 247) [Tr. John Patrick] Against Celsus (248) [Tr. Frederick Crombie] Philocalia (360) [Tr. George Lewis] Letters [Tr. Frederick Crombie] The Greek Texts De Principiis Contra Celsum The Biographies Extract from Book VI of ‘Ecclesiastical History’ by Eusebius (313) Introduction to Origen by Frederick Crombie (1885) Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles
Originally published in German in 1938, this highly acclaimed volume presents more than one thousand selections from the various extant writings of Origen, the great Alexandrian theologian. Robert J. Daly, S.J., has re-translated the majority of these texts from the original Greek and Latin, added the scriptural references in the translated texts and an index, and included updated bibliographical information.This volume comprises thoughts of one of the greatest of ancient theologians as seen through the eyes of an almost equally prolific successor in the same central Christian enterprise. The book remains a great resource for anyone interested in patristic theology, early Christian mysticism, and early interpretation of Scripture. This Cornerstones edition has a new introduction written by Robert J. Daly, S.J.
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