2
Origen begins with a problem and a plan:
Many who profess to believe in Christ differ from each other, not only in small and trifling matters, but also on subjects of the highest importance…
... it seems necessary first of all to fix a definite limit and to lay down an unmistakable rule regarding these… and then to investigate of other points.
Origen plans to codify what has
been passed down, and explore further questions whose answers have been left unsettled
(epistemically).
The problem is that personal judgement
has superseded tradition.
As the teaching of the Church, transmitted in orderly succession from the apostles, and remaining in the Churches to the present day, is still preserved… that alone is to be accepted as truth which differs in no respect from ecclesiastical and apostolic tradition.
What has been handed down cannot be
contradicted.
3
Some points of tradition are clear.
Other points require fleshing out.
4
An outline of the teachings of the
Church begins in § 4.
It is the teaching of the Church
that…
Origen prioritizes the tradition on
the Blessed Trinity.
First, God the Father… Created all things ex nihilo. Is the God of all just men. Sent Jesus Christ “in the first place Israel to Himself, and in the second place the Gentiles, after the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel.” Is the Father of Jesus Christ… Gave the law and the Gospels.
Secondly, Jesus Christ… Born of the Father before all creatures. Was the servant of the Father in the creation of all things. Became a man. Was incarnate although God. Assumed a body like to our own. Born of a virgin and of the Holy Spirit. (emphases here) Was truly born… did truly suffer… did truly die… did truly rise from the dead… was taken up onto heaven.
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit… Was associated in honour and dignity with the Father and the Son. But (questions) in His case it is not clearly distinguished whether He is to be regarded as born or innate, or also as a Son of God or not: for these are points which have to be inquired into out of sacred Scripture according to the best of our ability, and which demand careful investigation. This Spirit inspired the saints, whether prophets or apostles.
5
He proceeds to the tradition on the
soul.
Each soul shall be rewarded according to its deserts… eternal life and blessedness or eternal fire and punishments. There will be a resurrection. Every soul has free-will… Each has a struggle with the devil and his angels… but can overcome by right living. But (questions) with respect to the soul… whether it is derived from the seed… or bestowed upon the body…
6
Origen turns to the devil and demons.
The Church has laid down that these beings exist… but what they are, or how they exist, it has not explained with sufficient clearness. This opinion, however, is held by most, that the devil was an angel, became apostate, induced as many of the angels as possible to fall away with himself.
7
About the world…
It had a beginning and will be destroyed on account of its wickedness. But (questions) what existed before this world, or what will exist after it, has not become certainly known.
8
On the Scriptures...
Finally… the Scriptures were written by the Spirit of God, and have a meaning, not such only as is apparent at first sight, but also another, which escapes the notice of most. For those (words) which are written are the forms of certain mysteries, and the images of divine things…
9
On incorporeality...
What is meant by the incorporeality of God? Does he have a shape… or is he of a different nature from bodies. And the same inquiries have to be made regarding Christ and the Holy Spirit, as well as the soul, and angels.
10
On the angels…
There are certain angels of God, and certain good influences, which are His servants in accomplishing the salvation of men. When these were created,what nature they are, and how they exist, are questions left open.
The plan ahead…
Enlighten yourselves with the light of knowledge, so as to ascertain the truth regarding each topic, and form one body of doctrine, by means of illustrations and arguments — either those discovered in holy Scripture, or deduced by closely tracing out the consequences…
