Origen and Scripture: The Contours of the Exegetical Life

by Peter W. Martens

Scriptural interpretation was an important form of scholarship for Christians in late antiquity. For no one does this claim ring more true than Origen of Alexandria (185-254), one of the most prolific scholars of Scripture in early Christianity. This book examines his approach to the Bible through a biographical the focus is on his account of the scriptural interpreter, the animating centre of the exegetical enterprise. In pursuing this largely neglected line of inquiry, Peter W. Martens discloses the contours of Origen's sweeping vision of scriptural exegesis as a way of life. For Origen, ideal interpreters were far more than philologists steeped in the skills conveyed by Greco-Roman education. Their profile also included a commitment to Christianity from which they gathered a spectrum of loyalties, guidelines, dispositions, relationships and doctrines that tangibly shaped how they practiced and thought about their biblical scholarship. The study explores the many ways in
which Origen thought ideal scriptural interpreters (himself included) embarked upon a way of life, indeed a way of salvation, culminating in the everlasting contemplation of God. This new and integrative thesis takes seriously how the discipline of scriptural interpretation was envisioned by one of its pioneering and most influential practitioners.

Genres: Academic, History, Theology, Church History

294 pages, Hardcover

First published January 13, 2012

Reviews

[Rachel Edney]

Read this bad boy in one sitting. Big Origen fan! Love the idea that the learning we invest ourselves in now will be fulfilled in an eschatological schoolroom where Christ keeps teaching us to fulfill our pursuit of knowledge in God.

[Tyson Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martens is asking the right questions about Origen's doctrine and use of Scripture, and he offers clear answers.

[Joel Loh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have certified that I read this book fully.

This was an academic book that is accessible at the same time. The structure of the book is easy to read and provides direction to where the author is going. Each chapter begins with a summary with the main argument of the chapter, thus providing a framework to see how the argument is structured. This makes it easy to Comprehend, something that I will now sorely miss in the other books.
The book has footnotes galore. So much references, elaborations and miscellaneous thoughts.

Content wise, this book is superb. I've only known Origen as the allegorist. But after reading this book, i truly can sympathise and see that he actually at times is a misunderstood genius working in a differing framework. Obviously, I don't think we can adopt his methodology entirely, but given the framework that they were in. I think that this book convinced me that he was on the right track to an orthodox method.

What struck me lastly was how integrated the aspect of doing interpretation. For origen, interpreting the bible is NOT a rationalistic endeavour only. It involved morality, prayer, skill. It was his devotion unto God. Truth be told, I walked away very inspired by this figure.
It was a lovely book.

[Cody Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been trying to get caught up on significant studies in Origenian scholarship these past few months to get a lay or the land. This is quite a remarkable book—there’s a lot to unpack, and it was a breath of fresh air stacked against the typical formula of examining a passage of Origen and seeking to see the ways he does or does not follow his own “rule” laid forth (usually in PA 4).

I’m sure I will return to this again and again, especially in light of the conversation of Origen as philologue.

[Robert Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well written and well argued.

[Sarah]

I'm in the acknowledgments! It's good; I can vouch for it. :) To be released in February.