Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V The Writings Of Origen Origen wielded the pen of a ready writer. He was probably a more voluminous author than even moderns like Calvin or Richard Baxter. It is, of course, impossible to accept the traditional figure of six thousand as any indication of the real number of his works; but Jerome's question, " Which of us can read all that he has written ?" is a sufficient testimony to the magnitude of his literary labours. As a result, perhaps, of the growing suspicion attaching to his name in the Church, the greater part of his writings has perished; and much of what we do possess is in the form of a by no means accurate translation by Rufinus. The writings of Origen are not limited to any one department of theological investigation; they range over the entire field. Much, however, has been erroneously ascribed to him, as, e.g., the Philosophumena or Refutation of all Heresies, which in tone and language appears to be a Latin product rather than a Greek, and the Dialogues of one Adamantius JDe recta in Deum fide. That he should have been the reputed author of the latter work within a century after his death is scarcely surprising in view of the fact that even during his lifetime he had to complain of undue liberties being taken alike with his works and with his name. i. Origen's Contributions to Textual Criticism Jewish opinion with reference to the Septuagint had been gradually changing. For long this translation enjoyed great popularity among the Hellenists, and seems to have been read even in some Palestinian synagogues. Josephus makes extensive use of it. But when by its help it was sought to establish the truth of Christianity as against Judaism, the Jews began to repudiate it as a mutilated rendering of the Hebrew...