The Philocalia of Origen: A Compilation of Selected Passages from Origen's Works Made by St. Gregory of Nazianzus and St. Basil of Caesarea

by Origen, George Lewis

These collected writings of Origen bring together the early Christian theologian's finest thoughts; his analyses of the Bible, his philosophical ideas, and his arguments against Pagan scholars opposed to Christianity. Noted for his prolific output totaling some 6,000 distinct works, Origen's voracious study of pertinent texts was coupled with a sharp insight into the extant lore. From a Biblical perspective, Origen's Hexapla - a study of five distinct translations of the Old Testament - is a groundbreaking work of Bible study and scriptural analysis. Origen was more than capable of sparring with philosophers who were opposed to Christianity on various grounds; some of these debates became valuable documents in themselves. Carefully selected so as to provide the reader with an accurate summation of Origen's most celebrated surviving writings, this book and its analyses are thorough, covering the most significant themes explored. More than 700 notes and scripture references are included, that the reader may follow the lines of reasoning - importantly for his era, Origen ventured that many key passages of the Bible were allegorical. Others he cited as supportive of Christian pacifism, which was a popular concept among early Christian groups.

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Religion

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 360

About the author

Origen of Alexandria (c. 184 – c. 253), 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. He was a prolific writer who wrote roughly 2,000 treatises in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and biblical hermeneutics, homiletics, and spirituality. He was one of the most influential figures in early Christian theology, apologetics, and asceticism. He has been described as "the greatest genius the early church ever produced".

Reviews

[Erick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've liked Origen for some time. I don't agree with all of his theories, but he was, without question in my mind, the greatest of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. I always get a little perturbed when he is treated with contempt by other Christians--usually by people who have spent very little time actually studying him. His profound influence cannot be denied by anyone who is well acquainted with church history and theology. The man was prolific and inspired.

The Philocalia is a somewhat thematic compendium of Origen's thought. It was compiled by the Cappadocians Gregory Nazianzen and Basil the Great. I am probably going to be seen as biased since my greatest theological influences are primarily Alexandrian and Cappadocian, but this book would serve as a great introduction to Origen.

Some of the issues that Origen addresses here are hermeneutics, fatalistic determinism, the use of biblical allegory, the unity of the Bible, theodicy; also various gnostic and philosophical beliefs regarding the Bible, God and evil.
I have to say that I was quite impressed with Origen's refutation of the Gnostic and Platonist demonizing of matter. I had not read this before and it is very similar to my issues with Plotinus that I raised in my review to the Enneads. I highly recommend reading it. This portion is actually found in Eusebius and attributed to a certain Maximus, but it is claimed to be simply a word for word reiteration of Origen's points found in his work against Marcion.

I also was impressed with his refutation of fatalistic determinism. I have often thought, and said, that there are very few false theologies that are altogether new in the church. The Valentinian Gnostics held a form of Predestinationism that is quite similar to Calvinism. Indeed, they used the same proof texts from the New Testament to support it; and Origen's refutations hold good against Calvinism as well. Origen repeats some of the same criticisms I have had towards Calvinism, e.g. it makes God responsible for evil and compromises His Goodness, makes human beings guiltless, etc.

I have to say that Origen's appeal to allegory does attempt to gloss over the more difficult theological problems of the Old Testament, but overall I agree with his positions.

A good portion of this book comes from Origen's work Against Celsus, but there are enough novel textual sources to make this worth getting, even if someone already owns the Ante-Nicene ten volume set.