Today we begin our look at Origen. Any look has to be partial, as he was a man of vast learning, and certainly someone who produced 1000s of different types of writings (letters, sermons, tracts, larger treatises).
Controversial in his own day, and even now, we could spend years on him, but as we have to get on to other matters eventually, we will only spend a few weeks treating him.
Today’s episode is found here, at Ancient Faith.
Origen
Excerpt from St. Jerome’s letter to Minervius and Alexander.
“In both youth and old age I confessed that Origen and Eusebius of Caesarea are the most learned of men, though they declined from true doctrine. . . . Gold is sought in the dirt, and hordes of jewels come from streams. . . I intend to read the old authors, to test each statement, to retain the good, and never to depart from the faith of the catholic Church.”
For more on Origen, you can consult the works of Jean Daniélou that treat on Origen and his era in The Gospel Message and Hellenistic Culture.
You can as well consult the work of Henri de Lubac, History and Spirit. The Understanding of Scripture According to Origen.
More next week.
