Origen of Alexandria - Revision history

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	In contrast with many of the early Church Fathers, Origen insisted on a philosophical approach to the Bible. He came to many of the same conclusions modern man has reached.		In contrast with many of the early Church Fathers, Origen insisted on a philosophical approach to the Bible. He came to many of the same conclusions modern man has reached.

	For example, it is common today to view the Creation story as allegory. Origen also took it ﬁguratively. He tells us that the ﬁrst chapters of Genesis do not describe actual events but indicate “certain mysteries.” He also tells us we can’t take everything in the Gospels literally, concluding that “episodes which did not occur are inserted among those which are literally recorded.”<ref>Origen, ''On First Principles'' 4.1.17, quoted in Robert Payne, ''The Fathers of the Eastern Church'' (1957; reprint, New York: Marboro Books, Dorset Press, 1989), p. 53.</ref>		For example, it is common today to view the Creation story as allegory. Origen also took it ﬁguratively. He tells us that the ﬁrst chapters of Genesis do not describe actual events but indicate “certain mysteries.” He also tells us we can’t take everything in the [[Gospels]] literally, concluding that “episodes which did not occur are inserted among those which are literally recorded.”<ref>Origen, ''On First Principles'' 4.1.17, quoted in Robert Payne, ''The Fathers of the Eastern Church'' (1957; reprint, New York: Marboro Books, Dorset Press, 1989), p. 53.</ref>

	In contrast, Saints Irenaeus and Epiphanius tell us that paradise was a real place on earth with real trees and rivers.<ref>See Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies'' 3.23, 5.23, in ''The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 325'', 10 vols., ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (reprint, Grand Rapids, Mich.:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1978–81), 1:455–58, 551–52; and Jon F. Dechow, ''Dogma and Mysticism in Early Christianity: Epiphanius of Cyprus and the Legacy of Origen'', Patristic Monograph Series, 13 (Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1988), pp. 334–47.</ref> And Augustine argues that the world has existed for only six thousand years.<ref>Augustine, ''City of God'' 12.10, in Schaff, Philip, ed., ''A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church'', 1st ser. (Reprint. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1979–80), 2:232.</ref> Their ideas monopolized religion for more than ﬁfteen hundred years.		In contrast, Saints Irenaeus and Epiphanius tell us that paradise was a real place on earth with real trees and rivers.<ref>See Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies'' 3.23, 5.23, in ''The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 325'', 10 vols., ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (reprint, Grand Rapids, Mich.:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1978–81), 1:455–58, 551–52; and Jon F. Dechow, ''Dogma and Mysticism in Early Christianity: Epiphanius of Cyprus and the Legacy of Origen'', Patristic Monograph Series, 13 (Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1988), pp. 334–47.</ref> And Augustine argues that the world has existed for only six thousand years.<ref>Augustine, ''City of God'' 12.10, in Schaff, Philip, ed., ''A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church'', 1st ser. (Reprint. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1979–80), 2:232.</ref> Their ideas monopolized religion for more than ﬁfteen hundred years.

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	<references />		<references />

			[[Category:Embodiments of ascended masters]]

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	Many of Origen’s beliefs parallel those being released by the ascended masters today. In ''On First Principles'', he teaches that God is Spirit, that he is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He discusses the Fall of Lucifer and the fact that man is free to rise or fall by the gift of free will.		Many of Origen’s beliefs parallel those being released by the ascended masters today. In ''On First Principles'', he teaches that God is Spirit, that he is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He discusses the Fall of Lucifer and the fact that man is free to rise or fall by the gift of free will.

	He proclaims that the sun, moon and stars are living beings. He believes in the pre-existence of souls and in reembodiment. He says that Matter was created by God and that the use of bodies will cease, that the bodily nature returns to non-existence (to Spirit), just as formerly it did not exist.		He proclaims that the sun, moon and stars are living beings. He believes in the pre-existence of souls and in [[reembodiment]]. He says that Matter was created by God and that the use of bodies will cease, that the bodily nature returns to non-existence (to Spirit), just as formerly it did not exist.

	Origen speaks of the Christ as the Mediator between God and man. He also refers to a place of instruction for souls after death. He concludes that since the teaching of the Church includes the doctrine of the righteous judgment of God, man must have a free will to choose to live a good life by avoiding sin.		Origen speaks of the Christ as the Mediator between God and man. He also refers to a place of instruction for souls after death. He concludes that since the teaching of the Church includes the doctrine of the righteous judgment of God, man must have a free will to choose to live a good life by avoiding sin.

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	=== Karma and reincarnation ===		=== Karma and reincarnation ===

	Since many of Origen’s writings were destroyed and the rest heavily edited, scholars debate whether he actually taught reincarnation. Some say he merely taught preexistence, that the soul existed before the body. But in Origen’s day, preexistence and reincarnation were inseparable. Although in one case Origen denies reincarnation, we must take his single denial in the context of his other writings, the times in which he lived and his deliberate practice of secrecy. For Origen, reincarnation was part of the whole scheme of salvation—salvation based on individual effort, the soul’s relationship to the God within, leading ultimately to union with God.		Since many of Origen’s writings were destroyed and the rest heavily edited, scholars debate whether he actually taught [[reincarnation]]. Some say he merely taught preexistence, that the soul existed before the body. But in Origen’s day, preexistence and reincarnation were inseparable. Although in one case Origen denies reincarnation, we must take his single denial in the context of his other writings, the times in which he lived and his deliberate practice of secrecy. For Origen, reincarnation was part of the whole scheme of salvation—salvation based on individual effort, the soul’s relationship to the God within, leading ultimately to union with God.

	If Origen had rejected reincarnation, he would have had to argue that position coherently for his educated audience because many of them, being Neoplatonists and Gnostics, held the belief. But there is no record of his doing this. Instead, he persistently asks whether actions in previous existences are the cause of people’s present troubles.		If Origen had rejected reincarnation, he would have had to argue that position coherently for his educated audience because many of them, being Neoplatonists and Gnostics, held the belief. But there is no record of his doing this. Instead, he persistently asks whether actions in previous existences are the cause of people’s present troubles.

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	[[File:Origen.jpg\|thumb\|Origen of Alexandria, Illustration from ''Les Vrais Portraits Et Vies Des Hommes Illustres'', by André Thévet]]		[[File:Origen.jpg\|thumb\|Origen of Alexandria, Illustration from ''Les Vrais Portraits Et Vies Des Hommes Illustres'', by André Thévet (1584)]]

	Origen of Alexandria (c.185–c.254), writer, teacher and Church Father, drew forth from the Bible the very fire of the teachings of Christ and made these teachings understandable to his contemporaries. He exerted enormous inﬂuence on the early Church. Dictating to a staff of stenographers, copyists and calligraphers provided by a wealthy patron, Origen wrote almost two thousand books. He ranks as the greatest Christian thinker of his age.		Origen of Alexandria (c.185–c.254), writer, teacher and Church Father, drew forth from the Bible the very fire of the teachings of Christ and made these teachings understandable to his contemporaries. He exerted enormous inﬂuence on the early Church. Dictating to a staff of stenographers, copyists and calligraphers provided by a wealthy patron, Origen wrote almost two thousand books. He ranks as the greatest Christian thinker of his age.
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	The conﬂict between Origen and his bishop, Demetrius, represents in miniature the later conﬂicts between the Church and “heretics.” Origen, studying Greek philosophy as well as Jewish and Christian scriptures, came in the tradition of Greek and Jewish sages—solitary, inspired teachers who took truth where they found it. The Church, as it attempted to establish a structure and consolidate its authority, could not allow such teachers to remain autonomous. Over the next centuries, the Church severely curtailed their freedom as it codiﬁed doctrine and deﬁned scripture, substituting order for illumination.		The conﬂict between Origen and his bishop, Demetrius, represents in miniature the later conﬂicts between the Church and “heretics.” Origen, studying Greek philosophy as well as Jewish and Christian scriptures, came in the tradition of Greek and Jewish sages—solitary, inspired teachers who took truth where they found it. The Church, as it attempted to establish a structure and consolidate its authority, could not allow such teachers to remain autonomous. Over the next centuries, the Church severely curtailed their freedom as it codiﬁed doctrine and deﬁned scripture, substituting order for illumination.

			[[File:Origen3.jpg\|thumb\|Origen]]

	== Final years ==		== Final years ==
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	Origen dreamed of martyrdom, but he was not to receive it. Although Decius fed other Christians to the lions, he only tortured Origen. The torture must have been intense, however, for Origen died soon after his release—a martyr in spirit if not by strict deﬁnition. Little did he know that his writings would cause centuries of controversy in the Church he had given his life for—and that the Church would ultimately declare his writings heretical, curse and burn them.		Origen dreamed of martyrdom, but he was not to receive it. Although Decius fed other Christians to the lions, he only tortured Origen. The torture must have been intense, however, for Origen died soon after his release—a martyr in spirit if not by strict deﬁnition. Little did he know that his writings would cause centuries of controversy in the Church he had given his life for—and that the Church would ultimately declare his writings heretical, curse and burn them.

	~~[[File:Origen3.jpg\|thumb\|Origen]]~~

	== Origen’s teachings ==		== Origen’s teachings ==
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	In contrast, Saints Irenaeus and Epiphanius tell us that paradise was a real place on earth with real trees and rivers.<ref>See Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies'' 3.23, 5.23, in ''The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 325'', 10 vols., ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (reprint, Grand Rapids, Mich.:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1978–81), 1:455–58, 551–52; and Jon F. Dechow, ''Dogma and Mysticism in Early Christianity: Epiphanius of Cyprus and the Legacy of Origen'', Patristic Monograph Series, 13 (Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1988), pp. 334–47.</ref> And Augustine argues that the world has existed for only six thousand years.<ref>Augustine, ''City of God'' 12.10, in Schaff, Philip, ed., ''A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church'', 1st ser. (Reprint. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1979–80), 2:232.</ref> Their ideas monopolized religion for more than ﬁfteen hundred years.		In contrast, Saints Irenaeus and Epiphanius tell us that paradise was a real place on earth with real trees and rivers.<ref>See Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies'' 3.23, 5.23, in ''The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 325'', 10 vols., ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (reprint, Grand Rapids, Mich.:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1978–81), 1:455–58, 551–52; and Jon F. Dechow, ''Dogma and Mysticism in Early Christianity: Epiphanius of Cyprus and the Legacy of Origen'', Patristic Monograph Series, 13 (Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1988), pp. 334–47.</ref> And Augustine argues that the world has existed for only six thousand years.<ref>Augustine, ''City of God'' 12.10, in Schaff, Philip, ed., ''A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church'', 1st ser. (Reprint. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1979–80), 2:232.</ref> Their ideas monopolized religion for more than ﬁfteen hundred years.

			[[File:Clement alexandrin.jpg\|thumb\|upright\|Clement of Alexandria, Illustration from ''Les Vrais Portraits Et Vies Des Hommes Illustres'', by André Thévet (1584)]]

	=== Secret teaching ===		=== Secret teaching ===
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	Origen believed that God had created earth as a place for human beings to exercise free will. For Origen, there wasn’t much point to a religion in which God predestined everyone, even for salvation. He wrote:		Origen believed that God had created earth as a place for human beings to exercise free will. For Origen, there wasn’t much point to a religion in which God predestined everyone, even for salvation. He wrote:

	<blockquote>God ... for the salvation of all his creatures ... thus ordered all these things in such a way that no spirit or soul ... might be forced against the freedom of their own wills in any direction other than that in which the motion of their own minds might lead them, and thus the faculty of freewill be taken away from them (which would indeed change the quality of their very nature).<ref>Origen, On First Principles, quoted in Danielou, ''Gospel Message and Hellenistic Culture'', pp. 420–21.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>God ... for the salvation of all his creatures ... thus ordered all these things in such a way that no spirit or soul ... might be forced against the freedom of their own wills in any direction other than that in which the motion of their own minds might lead them, and thus the faculty of freewill be taken away from them (which would indeed change the quality of their very nature).<ref>Origen, ''On First Principles'', quoted in Danielou, ''Gospel Message and Hellenistic Culture'', pp. 420–21.</ref></blockquote>

	Origen’s worldview tells us that we can fall down the ladder of soul evolution, but it also tells us that we can climb back up again. As scholar G. W. Butterworth puts it, Origen placed no limit on “the power of God’s love, when once the human soul had responded to its healing and uplifting inﬂuence.”<ref>Butterworth, introduction to ''Origen: On First Principles'', p. lvi.</ref>		Origen’s worldview tells us that we can fall down the ladder of soul evolution, but it also tells us that we can climb back up again. As scholar G. W. Butterworth puts it, Origen placed no limit on “the power of God’s love, when once the human soul had responded to its healing and uplifting inﬂuence.”<ref>Butterworth, introduction to ''Origen: On First Principles'', p. lvi.</ref>
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	Origen may have been the ﬁrst person to articulate the belief enshrined in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal.” He wrote that God “created all those whom he did create equal and alike.”<ref>Origen, ''On First Principles'', quoted in Danielou, ''Gospel Message and Hellenistic Culture'', p. 416.</ref> In other words, God gave all of us the same opportunities and potential. But our own actions have caused our differences.		Origen may have been the ﬁrst person to articulate the belief enshrined in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal.” He wrote that God “created all those whom he did create equal and alike.”<ref>Origen, ''On First Principles'', quoted in Danielou, ''Gospel Message and Hellenistic Culture'', p. 416.</ref> In other words, God gave all of us the same opportunities and potential. But our own actions have caused our differences.

			[[File:Meister von San Vitale in Ravenna 003.jpg\|thumb\|Court of the Emperor Justinian]]

	== Origen’s teachings anathamatized ==		== Origen’s teachings anathamatized ==

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	<blockquote>[Origen continued the] studies which he had begun under the direction of his father, and his proficiency in grammar, philology, and Greek literature soon became a ladder to independence.... He had by reason of his literary attainments and his Christian zeal already won for himself a front-rank place in the Egyptian Church. This was recognized by Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, who now appointed him to the office of teacher in the Catechetical School.<ref>William Fairweather, ''Origen and Greek Patristic Theology'' (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1901), pp. 36–41.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>[Origen continued the] studies which he had begun under the direction of his father, and his proficiency in grammar, philology, and Greek literature soon became a ladder to independence.... He had by reason of his literary attainments and his Christian zeal already won for himself a front-rank place in the Egyptian Church. This was recognized by Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, who now appointed him to the office of teacher in the Catechetical School.<ref>William Fairweather, ''Origen and Greek Patristic Theology'' (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1901), pp. 36–41.</ref></blockquote>

			[[File:Ancient Alexandria (1878) - TIMEA.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.6\|Artist’s impression of Ancient Alexandria]]

	== Teaching in Alexandria ==		== Teaching in Alexandria ==

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	By 215, Origen had headed the Catechetical School for over ten years, and Origen’s bishop, Demetrius, was jealous of his growing prestige and nervous about his philosophical speculations. Demetrius refused to let him preach in church because he was not an ordained priest. He was, however, in great demand elsewhere. On a visit to Caesarea (in Palestine), he preached at the local bishop’s request. Demetrius angrily summoned him back to Alexandria. Yet his fame continued to spread across the empire, even to the imperial court. Julia Mammaea, the mother of Emperor Alexander Severus and the power behind the throne, sent for Origen and commanded him to explain Christianity to her.		By 215, Origen had headed the Catechetical School for over ten years, and Origen’s bishop, Demetrius, was jealous of his growing prestige and nervous about his philosophical speculations. Demetrius refused to let him preach in church because he was not an ordained priest. He was, however, in great demand elsewhere. On a visit to Caesarea (in Palestine), he preached at the local bishop’s request. Demetrius angrily summoned him back to Alexandria. Yet his fame continued to spread across the empire, even to the imperial court. Julia Mammaea, the mother of Emperor Alexander Severus and the power behind the throne, sent for Origen and commanded him to explain Christianity to her.

	Sometime around 231 Origen left Alexandria and again went to Caesarea, where the bishop ordained him without Demetrius’ approval. Demetrius began a campaign against Origen on the grounds of his unauthorized ordination and questionable views. He accused Origen of having said the Devil would be saved. Demetrius gained the support of the rest of the bishops of Egypt, who rescinded Origen’s ordination and excommunicated him. Origen defended himself, pointing out that he had said only that the Devil could be saved. This question about the Devil is pivotal to Origen’s doctrines of free will and God’s justice.		Sometime around 231 Origen left Alexandria and again went to Caesarea, where the bishop ordained him without Demetrius’ approval. Demetrius began a campaign against Origen on the grounds of his unauthorized ordination and questionable views. He accused Origen of having said the Devil would be saved. Demetrius gained the support of the rest of the bishops of Egypt, who rescinded Origen’s ordination and excommunicated him. Origen defended himself, pointing out that he had said only that the Devil ''could'' be saved. This question about the Devil is pivotal to Origen’s doctrines of free will and God’s justice.

	After Demetrius died, Origen gained a respite. He settled in Caesarea, which had become the most prominent city in Palestine after the destruction of Jerusalem in <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 70. Under the protection of the Palestinian bishops, Origen ﬁnally got the respect he deserved.		After Demetrius died, Origen gained a respite. He settled in Caesarea, which had become the most prominent city in Palestine after the destruction of Jerusalem in <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 70. Under the protection of the Palestinian bishops, Origen ﬁnally got the respect he deserved.

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