Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 4) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Book I of Origen against Celsus by reading Chapters 1 to 27.
My summary
Today Origen writes against the arguments of Celsus the pagan.
Firstly Origen defends the legitimacy of a Christian response to opposition.
Then Origen discusses the Jewish heritage of Christianity. Basically Celsus has suggested that Judaism is barbarous and thus Christianity is ridiculous too. Whereas Origen demonstrates that Judaism has a rich heritage that is worthy of our consideration.
There is also discussion of the supposed secrecy of Christianity.
What grabbed me
I liked this point about the secrecy of Christianity: 'Moreover, since he frequently calls the Christian doctrine a secret system (of belief), we must confute him on this point also, since almost the entire world is better acquainted with what Christians preach than with the favourite opinions of philosophers. For who is ignorant of the statement that Jesus was born of a virgin, and that He was crucified, and that His resurrection is an article of faith among many, and that a general judgment is announced to come, in which the wicked are to be punished according to their deserts, and the righteous to be duly rewarded? And yet the mystery of the resurrection, not being understood, is made a subject of ridicule among unbelievers. In these circumstances, to speak of the Christian doctrine as a secret system, is altogether absurd. '
Most of the important truths of Christianity are proclaimed clearly, without a hint of secrecy.
Next week's reading
Conclude Book I of Origen.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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