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Contra Celsum
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 A.D., 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 preceeded 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.
572 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 248
About the author
Origen
338 books91 followersOrigen 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".
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 25, 2017
This was one of my very few forays into reading the Church Fathers (Origen wrote this in about 248 A.D.), and it was a fascinating experience -- one that I look forward to repeating on more occasions with other early Church works. On a side note, it was weirdly odd that the Kindle edition had 666 pages. Strange.
Against Celsus (Contra Celsum) is a lengthy defense of the Christian faith, written by Origen in 8 separate "books" or sections, in answer to another book, "The True Doctrine" written in turn by a Platonic philosopher named Celsus. In his book, Celsus attacked Christianity with a plethora of different arguments, which Origen addressed in return, point by point, often at considerable length.
The challenges for the reader are Origen's 3rd century writing style, and his lengthy, now and then ponderous, sentences. The upsides, however, are well worth the read. Origen was a Greek scholar, an incredibly diligent student of the Scriptures, and one of the most important early Church theologians. The logical way he dissects each of Celsus' statements reflects not only his adeptness as a debater, but also his clear and deep love for God.
The most significant takeaway for me was Origen's consistency in making his case with Scripture, above all else. This he did very masterfully, and with great impact. Not a fast read or, likely, a beach read, but well worth reading.
Against Celsus (Contra Celsum) is a lengthy defense of the Christian faith, written by Origen in 8 separate "books" or sections, in answer to another book, "The True Doctrine" written in turn by a Platonic philosopher named Celsus. In his book, Celsus attacked Christianity with a plethora of different arguments, which Origen addressed in return, point by point, often at considerable length.
The challenges for the reader are Origen's 3rd century writing style, and his lengthy, now and then ponderous, sentences. The upsides, however, are well worth the read. Origen was a Greek scholar, an incredibly diligent student of the Scriptures, and one of the most important early Church theologians. The logical way he dissects each of Celsus' statements reflects not only his adeptness as a debater, but also his clear and deep love for God.
The most significant takeaway for me was Origen's consistency in making his case with Scripture, above all else. This he did very masterfully, and with great impact. Not a fast read or, likely, a beach read, but well worth reading.
August 12, 2016
Fat chance Origen has of refuting Celsus who way back then in the second century trashed Genesis. He thinks Xians saying they can't serve two masters are in effect attributing their own feeling to god. Having done so, they use god as endorsement of what they feel whatever that is. Celsus also attacks Xianity for impiously dividing the kingdom of god into two opposing forces, an inheritance from Zoroastrianism. He also attacks they're worshipping extravagantly a man who appeared recently to which Origen's argument is since the recent man is in mental unity and identical in will with god he's not just a recent man though this oddly contrived belief hardly constitutes a reasonable argument. It's hardly even a rebuttal. Celsus says the avoidance of setting up altars and images and temples is a sure token of an obscure and secret society. Once it was no longer obscure and secret, Xianity did set up altars, images and churches. Celsus asks since god is common to all and in need of nothing, why do his devotees not partake in public feasts? which incidentally were a way of distributing meat to the poor. In reply Origen says by opposing the pleasures of the flesh, the abstaining contrary Xian is preparing himself for the 'true' life ie on death. He postulates the unlikely dichotomy of spirit with the flesh it inhabits. Eating the offerings to idols is as serious as murder he says, with a vested interest in having it believed contending pagans are actually worshipping idols as gods. Likewise he's a vested interest in contending that daemons, who are gods and belong to god, aren't but are always hurtful to man. The beneficial ones are angels in his mythology. He does deal with the problem of evil in god's world as remedial, rather begging the question though.
March 8, 2019
The book was my first try of Origen’s works. Though I still do not know if Celsus’ book worth such an answer, Origen defending of the Christian faith is compelling and rigorous. He shows evidence of Christian moral superiority, gives a commonsense explanation of the Scripture, interprets Christianity in the broad religious context, defend it using Greek and roman philosophy and science of the day.
However, last thing made me think, that using science in apologies is a terrible idea. Science constantly evolves and what we think to be true today several years later may cause only laugh, not to say about centuries.
However, last thing made me think, that using science in apologies is a terrible idea. Science constantly evolves and what we think to be true today several years later may cause only laugh, not to say about centuries.
September 11, 2018
Au IIIe siècle, un certain Celse, une sorte d'ancêtre intellectuel de Richard Dawkins, publia "le vrai discours", une sorte de réfutation des christianisme qui effraya tellement les chrétiens de l'époque qu'Origène fut abondamment sollicité pour répondre à la charge. Et un peu malgré lui, le grand théologien se mit à la tâche, avec sa méticulosité caractéristique.
Comme toute réfutation, la qualité du livre dépend de la qualité de l'attaque initiale. On est par exemple consterné de voir Celsus être incapable de faire la distinction entre sataniste et chrétien, et parfois agacé de voir Origène -malgré lui- passer des dizaines de pages à expliquer que non, les orphites ne sont pas des chrétiens. Mais il y a d'autres passages -sur le culte qu'il faut rendre ou non aux démons par exemple (livre 8)- qui sont plus intéressants. Le format qu'adopte Origène -celui de coller le plus possible au livre de Celse - rend le tout plutôt difficile à lire, tant le livre de Celse est plutôt incohérent à l'origine. Cette incohérence de Celse rend la réponse d'Origène assez difficile à suivre, et on a du mal à faire le lien entre les différents arguments apportés.
Néanmoins, c'était un livre intéressant à lire, particulièrement si vous vous intéressez à l'apologétique ou l'histoire de l'église antique. Ce livre montre le genre de critiques que se prenaient les chrétiens de l'époque, au delà du classique "ils mangent les petits enfants", et la force et la vigueur de l'intellect chrétien de l'époque. J'ai eu bien souvent du mal à le lire, mais ca n'est pas la faute d'Origène: bien au contraire, il donne de l'intérêt à un livre qui autrement n'aurait pas mérité autre chose que l'oubli.
Je continue de préférer De Principiis à Contre Celsus. Néanmoins, je le recommande pour tous ceux qui s'intéressent à l'apologétique et l'histoire de l'église: ce livre est riche en ce domaine.
Comme toute réfutation, la qualité du livre dépend de la qualité de l'attaque initiale. On est par exemple consterné de voir Celsus être incapable de faire la distinction entre sataniste et chrétien, et parfois agacé de voir Origène -malgré lui- passer des dizaines de pages à expliquer que non, les orphites ne sont pas des chrétiens. Mais il y a d'autres passages -sur le culte qu'il faut rendre ou non aux démons par exemple (livre 8)- qui sont plus intéressants. Le format qu'adopte Origène -celui de coller le plus possible au livre de Celse - rend le tout plutôt difficile à lire, tant le livre de Celse est plutôt incohérent à l'origine. Cette incohérence de Celse rend la réponse d'Origène assez difficile à suivre, et on a du mal à faire le lien entre les différents arguments apportés.
Néanmoins, c'était un livre intéressant à lire, particulièrement si vous vous intéressez à l'apologétique ou l'histoire de l'église antique. Ce livre montre le genre de critiques que se prenaient les chrétiens de l'époque, au delà du classique "ils mangent les petits enfants", et la force et la vigueur de l'intellect chrétien de l'époque. J'ai eu bien souvent du mal à le lire, mais ca n'est pas la faute d'Origène: bien au contraire, il donne de l'intérêt à un livre qui autrement n'aurait pas mérité autre chose que l'oubli.
Je continue de préférer De Principiis à Contre Celsus. Néanmoins, je le recommande pour tous ceux qui s'intéressent à l'apologétique et l'histoire de l'église: ce livre est riche en ce domaine.
September 3, 2024
"Contra Celsum became the most influential of all early Christian apologetics works; before it was written, Christianity was seen by many as merely a folk religion for the illiterate and uneducated, but Origen raised it to a level of academic respectability. Eusebius admired Contra Celsum so much that in his Contra Hieroclem, he declared that Contra Celsum provided an adequate rebuttal to all criticisms the church would ever face."
This was an incredibly taxing book for me to read. It is written for theologians and serious philosophers of his time. It is still relevant today mind you, but the use of formal logic is used in maximum form.
The big take-away for me is that Celsus missed entirely the logos of Christ. That logos being love of all creation and the love in all of creation. Celsus is very opinionated and highly educated being able to orchestrate quite an argument himself. I could relate to many of his criticisms and probably would have agreed with him had I not come to understand the logos of Christ. While he criticised Christians for following faith he himself followed the old Gods of Greece and Rome so I find him guilty of hypocrisy on this matter. Origen catches him on this hypocrisy too and argues him into oblivion.
For those that want a true academic study on Contra Celsum this book is for you as long as you have the patience and can devote a lot of time to each chapter.
This was an incredibly taxing book for me to read. It is written for theologians and serious philosophers of his time. It is still relevant today mind you, but the use of formal logic is used in maximum form.
The big take-away for me is that Celsus missed entirely the logos of Christ. That logos being love of all creation and the love in all of creation. Celsus is very opinionated and highly educated being able to orchestrate quite an argument himself. I could relate to many of his criticisms and probably would have agreed with him had I not come to understand the logos of Christ. While he criticised Christians for following faith he himself followed the old Gods of Greece and Rome so I find him guilty of hypocrisy on this matter. Origen catches him on this hypocrisy too and argues him into oblivion.
For those that want a true academic study on Contra Celsum this book is for you as long as you have the patience and can devote a lot of time to each chapter.
November 27, 2022
Jag kan inte säga att detta var värt ansträngningen.
August 3, 2024
I’m betting that this book isn’t read much anymore. I’m reading it because I’m trying to read the complete works of Origen. It’s interesting to hear what this Church Father had to say about Christian beliefs a scant couple of hundred years after Christ…and before the myriad of subsequent theologians got involved in hardening what we later Christians are supposed to believe. And the views of the two camps aren’t necessarily the same.
July 20, 2024
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MASTERPIECE OF PHILOSOPHICAL APOLOGETICS
Origen (185-254) was an early Alexandrian scholar and theologian, and one of the most distinguished writers of the early Church. His belief in pre-existence and universal reconciliation were condemned by a council in the 6th century, but he is considered one of the most important church fathers. Celsus was a 2nd century Greek philosopher, best known for his book, 'On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians,' which is the earliest known comprehensive attack on Christianity, and was critiqued by Origen in this book.
Professor Chadwick notes in his very helpful Introduction, "There are perhaps few works of the early Christian Church which compare in interest or in importance with that which is here translated. The 'Contra Celsum' stands out as the culmination of the whole apologetic movement of the second and third centuries."
Origen (who normally adopted an allegorical method of interpreting the Bible) wrote, "in Christianity... there will be found to be no less profound study of the writings that are believed; we explain the obscure utterances of the prophets, and the parables in the gospels, and innumerable other events or laws which have a symbolical meaning." (Pg. 12) He argues, "What man who is urged to study philosophy and throws himself into some school of philosophers... comes to do this for any reason except that he has faith that this school is better?... it is by unreasoning impulse that people come to the practice of, say, Stoicism and abandon the rest..." (Pg. 13)
He later admits, "Do not suppose that it is not consistent with Christian doctrine when in my reply to Celsus I accepted the opinions of those philosophers who have affirmed the immortality or the survival of the soul. We have some ideas in common with them." (Pg. 182) He also grants that "if there is any subject among those that need study among men which is baffling to our comprehension, the origin of evil may be reckoned as such." (Pg. 237)
He states, "We are careful not to raise objections to any good teachings, even if their authors are outside the faith, nor to seek an occasion for a dispute with them, nor to find a way of overthrowing statements which are sound." (Pg. 434)
Origen's book is fascinating reading---on many levels (even for those critics of Christianity who are reading it to discern the opinions of Celsus!).
Origen (185-254) was an early Alexandrian scholar and theologian, and one of the most distinguished writers of the early Church. His belief in pre-existence and universal reconciliation were condemned by a council in the 6th century, but he is considered one of the most important church fathers. Celsus was a 2nd century Greek philosopher, best known for his book, 'On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians,' which is the earliest known comprehensive attack on Christianity, and was critiqued by Origen in this book.
Professor Chadwick notes in his very helpful Introduction, "There are perhaps few works of the early Christian Church which compare in interest or in importance with that which is here translated. The 'Contra Celsum' stands out as the culmination of the whole apologetic movement of the second and third centuries."
Origen (who normally adopted an allegorical method of interpreting the Bible) wrote, "in Christianity... there will be found to be no less profound study of the writings that are believed; we explain the obscure utterances of the prophets, and the parables in the gospels, and innumerable other events or laws which have a symbolical meaning." (Pg. 12) He argues, "What man who is urged to study philosophy and throws himself into some school of philosophers... comes to do this for any reason except that he has faith that this school is better?... it is by unreasoning impulse that people come to the practice of, say, Stoicism and abandon the rest..." (Pg. 13)
He later admits, "Do not suppose that it is not consistent with Christian doctrine when in my reply to Celsus I accepted the opinions of those philosophers who have affirmed the immortality or the survival of the soul. We have some ideas in common with them." (Pg. 182) He also grants that "if there is any subject among those that need study among men which is baffling to our comprehension, the origin of evil may be reckoned as such." (Pg. 237)
He states, "We are careful not to raise objections to any good teachings, even if their authors are outside the faith, nor to seek an occasion for a dispute with them, nor to find a way of overthrowing statements which are sound." (Pg. 434)
Origen's book is fascinating reading---on many levels (even for those critics of Christianity who are reading it to discern the opinions of Celsus!).
November 10, 2023
I read this sometime ago & didn't realize I never put the review in here. It's a great apologetics work, but if you are not into apologetics then it won't do much for you. But it's a great work both historically, and still in the present day. Many of these same arguments still go around today.
Want to read
January 3, 2023Jan 2023. "Both for its rendering and for its annotation, a model translation" (Pelikan, EMERGENCE OF THE CATHOLIC TRADITION 362).
September 16, 2023
Makes ok counters, doesn't feel satisfactory enough.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews