Origen: An Ideal Scholar

Origen was a Christian philosopher, Biblical scholar and theologian of the third century, His full name in Latin, Oregenes Adamantius, can perhaps be translated as Origen the Immovable. Apart from his erudition, imagination, intellect and piety, I would use one word to describe my impression of Origen: gravitas. He is the type of scholar who demands respect, even from his most formidable opponents, without at the same time making them feel small, for they recognize in him the qualities they aspire to themselves.

To me, Origen demonstrates both by word and by example what would make an ideal scholar. I wish I could be instructed by him.

First, comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter. Such is Origen’s mastery of Greek philosophy and Judeo-Christian theology, that he can not only ascertain the validity of philosophical and theological arguments, but also make inferences of the characters of the people making the arguments. In Against Celsus, for instance, Origen often argues ad hominem. Coming from a lesser person, it would be improper, but from him, it seems rather appropriate: Celsus frequently takes things out of context, omits things that contradict his own position, and makes vague accusations without clear and concrete evidence. Origen points out that this type of irrational behaviour pattern reflects a character flaw, either ignorance or malice, neither of which is becoming of a scholar. Reading Origen’s critique of Celsus is like watching an entertaining chess game where one player’s level is so far above his opponent, that he can see all the possible moves for the latter, even school him on how to make a better move, and still defeat him.

Second, willingness, even eagerness, to understand diverse and opposite views. In a letter to Sextus Iulius Africanus, a Christian historian, Origen writes that he frequently has discourse with Jews on various subjects, and consults Jewish scholars on matters of translation, and spares no efforts to collect manuscripts of Jewish Scriptures to study and understand the readings from the Jewish points of view. So that he may not be found ignorant in his defense of Christianity and thereby bring reproach upon it. One of the greatest fruits of his labor that have survived is the Hexapla, a side-by-side compilation of six versions of the Hebrew Scriptures available in his time.

Third, humility and generosity. Origen is never perturbed by people who challenge his beliefs. His responses to critics, of Christianity in general or of his personal opinions, are always calm, always grounded in reason and evidence. The exchange between Africanus and Origen is another example of Origen’s scholarship and generosity. Africanus wrote to Origen, because he thought the latter had made a mistake of including Susanna among the Scripture, which he argued was plainly a “later addition” to the canonical Book of Daniel. In response, Origen wrote a letter explaining that none of the difficulties noted by Africanus had escaped him, and detailing the reasons why he included Susanna in the Scripture. At the beginning of his letter, which is ten times the length of Africanus’, Origen apologizes for lack of time to make an adequate reply, one wonders what volumes he would have written if he had had the time and opportunity!

At the end of the letter, Origen wrote, “Would that I could instruct you! But I do not now arrogate that to myself.” I suppose one could read the first sentence as, “Watch the master and learn!” It would be a fitting end to the letter, but I think inconsistent with Origen’s character. It is rather an expression of his eagerness to impart his knowledge to his brethren in Christ, that they might benefit from it. He was also not unmindful of his own Master, the ultimate Teacher.

References:

• “Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 4. Fathers of the Third Century“. Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Accessed February 27, 2021. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf04.html.