On First Principles

by Origen, G W Butterworth

Overview

Being Koetschau's text of the De Principiis translated into English, together with an introduction and notes by G. W. Butterworth Origen's On First Principles was the first attempt to formulate a coherent system of Christian philosophy, and also the best expression of the theologian's general opinions. The work is divided into four parts: book one deals with God and creation, book two with creation (rational and irrational natures), providence, and redemption, and book four with the interpretation of Holy Scripture. Origen's views are based upon the authority of the Scriptures and Church tradition, and grounded upon the tenets of Neoplatonism. In On First Principles many maxims are given as to the nature of the Trinity, the person of Christ, and man's free will under the hand of Providence, most of which are considered Orthodox teachings. On the other hand, the principles found in this work that engendered controversy and were later condemned by the Fifth Ecumenical Council in 553, are the preexistence and transmigration of souls, and universal salvation at the consummation of the world. This edition, being Koetschau's English text translated from Rufinus' definitive Latin volume, contains selected fragments of St. Jerome's rendition and the meager remains of the original Greek texts in order to furnish a more comprehensive view of Origen's writings. Also included are in-depth introductions to Origin's life and works by the scholar G. W. Butterworth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620328316
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	12/14/2012
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Origen (ca. 184—ca. 253) is considered the most important biblical scholar and theologian of the early Greek Church, and some have even called him the finest scholar of the first millennium of Christianity. He fits into a legacy of prominent figures from the Alexandrian Church, which was under persecution during his time. His father was martyred when he was seventeen, and several of the students whom he converted to Christianity also went on to martyrdom.

"On First Principles" was one of Origen's earliest and most significant writings. Another was his "Hexapla," an enormous edition of the Old Testament arranged in six columns of Hebrew and Greek text. It is known as a colossal landmark in the study of Scripture. Many of his homilies were also recorded, and are widely read today.

Near the end of his life, Origen was tortured by civil authorities in an effort to make him apostatize. While they did not succeed, Origen died a confessor from related causes a few years later.

Table of Contents

Introduction i

Bibliography xxxvii

Preface of Rufinus xl

First Principles

Book I

Preface 1

I The Father 7

II Christ 15

III The Holy Spirit 29

IV Loss, or Falling away 40

V Rational Natures 44

VI The End or Consummation 52

VII Things Corporeal and Incorporeal 59

VIII The Angels 66

Book II

I The World and the Creatures in it 76

II The Perpetuity of Bodily Nature 81

III The Beginning of the World and its Causes 83

IV That there is one God of the Law and the Prophets, and that the God of the Old and New Covenants is the same 95

V The Just and the Good 101

VI The Incarnation of the Saviour 108

VII That it was the same Spirit who was in Moses and the rest of the Prophets and in the holy Apostles 116

VIII The Soul 120

IX The World, and the Movements of Rational Creatures both good and evil, and the Causes of these Movements 129

X Resurrection and Punishment 138

XI The Promises 147

Book III

Preface of Rufinus 155

I Free Will 157

II How the Devil and the Opposing Powers are, according to the scriptures, at war with the Human Race 211

III The Threefold Wisdom 223

IV Whether the statement made by some is true, that Each Individual has Two Souls 230

V That the World is originated and subject to Decay, Since it Took its Beginning in Time 237

VI The End 245

Book IV

I The Inspiration of Divine Scripture 256

II How Divine Scripture should be read and Interpreted 269

III The Principle underlying the obscurities in Divine Scripture and its impossible or unreasonable character in places, if taken literally 288

IV Summary of Doctrine concerning the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit 313

Index 329