Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 4) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Book V of Origen against Celsus.
My summary
Today we finish the fifth book from Origen that answers accusations from Celsus against Christianity.
Origen defends:
(i) Jewish customs (by pointing out pagan customs);
(ii) the appearance of the Son of God from heaven (by pointing out that angels from heaven have also appeared);
(iii) major differences between Jews and Christians.
What grabbed me
I love how Origen points out the hypocrisy of Celsus. He critiques Judaism for certain customs but not the similar customs of other religions: 'We must therefore inquire what may be fittingly eaten or not by the rational and gentle animal, which acts always in conformity with reason; and not worship at random, sheep, or goats, or kine; to abstain from which is an act of moderation, for much advantage is derived by men from these animals. Whereas, is it not the most foolish of all things to spare crocodiles, and to treat them as sacred to some fabulous divinity or other? For it is a mark of exceeding stupidity to spare those animals which do not spare us, and to bestow care on those which make a prey of human beings. But Celsus approves of those who, in keeping with the laws of their country, worship and tend crocodiles, and not a word does he say against them, while the Christians appear deserving of censure, who have been taught to loath evil, and to turn away from wicked works, and to reverence and honour virtue as being generated by God, and as being His Son. '
If you're going to pick on a religion, surely Christianity should be last on your list.
Next week's reading
Commence Book VI of Origen against Celsus by reading up to Chapter XLIII.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment