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Origen of Alexandria: Difference between revisions
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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. | ||