CONTRA CENSUM | KAIROS GLOBAL | NOVEMBER 2023

Author: George K Paul

Intro: George K Paul writes about Origen’s magnum opus, Contra Censum, a pivotal work in early Christian apologetics, which elevated Christianity to a realm of intellectual respectability.

While the great St Justin viewed Christianity as the culmination of Greco-Roman philosophy, it's worth noting that not everyone in the ancient world shared this perspective. One of the most vehement critics of Christianity during this time was a Greek philosopher named Celsus in the second century. His written work, titled The True Word," stands as one of the earliest and most comprehensive critiques of the Christian faith. Some scholars even suggest that Celsus may have penned this work in direct response to St Justin's writings.

Celsus mounted a multifaceted assault on Christianity, and one aspect of his critique is particularly intriguing because it draws inspiration from Platonic philosophy. In his eloquent prose, Celsus writes: ‘God is good, and beautiful, and blessed, and that in the best and most beautiful degree. But if he comes down among men, he must undergo a change, and a change from good to evil, from virtue to vice, from happiness to misery, and from best to worst. Who, then, would make choice of such a change? It is the nature of a mortal, indeed, to undergo change and remoulding, but of an immortal to remain the same and unaltered. God, then, could not admit of such a change.’

It's important to note that the quote I've provided is not a direct excerpt from Celsus's original work but rather a passage from the rebuttal penned by Origen of Alexandria. Origen, a towering figure in the early Christian Church, composed ‘Against Celsus’ (Contra Celsum) around 248 AD. Unfortunately, Celsus's original writings have not survived the passage of time.

The answer to the objection stated above can be found in the fourteenth chapter of Book IV of Contra Celsum. Here Origen argues that ‘the condescension of God to human affairs’ does not entail a transformation, as Celsus assumes Christians believe. Nor does it involve a shift from goodness to evil, virtue to vice, happiness to misery, or the best to the worst. Instead, God, while remaining unchanging in his essential nature, interacts with human affairs through the providential arrangement of his divine plan. Origen contends that holy Scriptures consistently portray God as immutable through phrases such as ‘You are the same’ and ‘I change not.’

Origen proceeds to contrast this understanding of God's immutability with the gods of Epicurus and the god of the Stoics. He notes that Epicurean gods, composed of atoms, are subject to dissolution and strive to shed the atoms that contain destructive elements. Similarly, the Stoic god, being corporeal, experiences shifts in essence depending on cosmic events like the conflagration of the world. Origen points out that even the Stoics, with their concept of God as the guiding principle, could not fully grasp the idea of God as an entirely incorruptible, simple, uncompounded, and indivisible being.

In essence, Origen refutes Celsus's argument by asserting that the Christian understanding of God's interaction with humanity does not necessitate a transformation or a change in his inherent goodness and immutability. He contrasts this view with the perceived limitations and inconsistencies in the conceptions of God held by Epicureans and Stoics, highlighting the unique nature of the Christian understanding of God's relationship with the world.

According to Eusebius, the Church historian who lived between approximately 260 and 340 AD, Origen embarked on the writing of Contra Celsum when he was already in his sixties. This monumental work was brought to Origen's attention by his friend and benefactor, Ambrose, a wealthy Christian. At the time, the book by Celsus, titled The True Word, was not widely known within Christian circles. Origen had never encountered it before, and Ambrose appears to be the first Christian who had read it. In those days, the Church typically chose to deal with hostile writings by simply ignoring them. The rationale behind this approach was that such writings would eventually fade into obscurity and be forgotten. This was initially the stance taken regarding Celsus's work, and Origen himself initially advocated for this traditional response. He argued that Jesus had set a precedent by refusing to engage with Caiaphas during his trial before the Sanhedrin. However, Ambrose persisted in his conviction that Origen should compose a response. It was a particular assertion by Celsus that ultimately spurred Origen into action. Celsus contended that no philosopher worth their salt in the Platonic tradition would ever be foolish enough to embrace Christianity. This claim provoked Origen to take up the challenge and craft a rebuttal.

Contra Celsum stands as a pivotal work in early Christian apologetics, wielding profound influence. Prior to its composition, Christianity often languished in the eyes of many as a rudimentary faith, perceived as catering primarily to the unlettered and less-educated masses. However, Origen's magnum opus elevated Christianity to a realm of intellectual respectability. Such was the impact of Contra Celsum that it prompted a paradigm shift in the perception of Christianity. Eusebius, profoundly impressed by Origen's work, went so far as to assert that Contra Celsum furnished a robust rejoinder to all conceivable criticisms that the Church might encounter. The reverberations of Origen's meticulous scholarship extended even further, resonating throughout the centuries. In the fourth century AD, the compilers of the Philokalia leaned heavily on Contra Celsum as a primary source. Astoundingly, nearly one-seventh of the entire Philokalia text consists of direct quotations drawn from Origen's seminal work.

In his effort to counter Celsus's critiques, Origen adopts a rather paradoxical approach. Instead of outright refutation, he seems to highlight the kernels of truth within Celsus's objections. Origen's apologetic strategy aligns with certain aspects of Celsus's criticisms, emphasising the legitimacy of these contentions. In the aforementioned example, Origen agrees with Celsus on the Platonic conception of an unchanging God who possesses all perfections. What becomes evident is that Origen's defence of Christianity shares common ground with the very arguments that Celsus vehemently wielded against it. This method of countering Celsus's criticisms in Contra Celsum offers contemporary apologists valuable lessons in defending the Christian faith. While the specific challenges and contexts have evolved, the core principles of Origen's strategy remain pertinent. Here's an exploration of the key insights that modern apologists can glean from Origen's approach:

Engaging with Contrary Perspectives: Origen's readiness to confront and respond to Celsus's objections sets an example for present-day apologists. Rather than avoiding challenging critiques, he demonstrated a commitment to constructive dialogue and intellectual rigour.

Strategic Agreement: Origen's strategy involved judiciously acknowledging the validity of certain points raised by Celsus. This approach allows apologists today to establish credibility by recognising areas where critics may have legitimate concerns or insights. Such acknowledgment showcases intellectual honesty and a willingness to engage constructively.

Intellectual Adaptability: Origen's use of allegorical interpretations of Scripture and his engagement with Greco-Roman philosophy reveal his intellectual flexibility. Christians should be open to drawing from diverse intellectual traditions and adapting their arguments to resonate with a wide-ranging audience. This adaptability can enhance the accessibility and relevance of Christian apologetics.

Connecting with the Common Person: Origen's emphasis on making his defence accessible to both scholars and the general populace underscores the importance of making apologetics relatable. We need to ensure that our arguments are not excessively academic but can resonate with a broad audience, including those with limited theological backgrounds.

Historical Grounding: Origen's affirmation of the historical incarnation of Jesus underscores the significance of anchoring Christian beliefs in historical and evidential foundations. It is important to strengthen our case for Christianity by highlighting the historical reliability of key Christian events and figures.

Balanced Approach: Origen's strategy strikes a careful balance by acknowledging valid criticisms while presenting a robust defence of Christianity. This equilibrium is vital for effectively engaging sceptics. It is always better to avoid extremes like dismissing objections outright or uncritically accepting them.

Adaptive Apologetics: Origen's willingness to adapt his apologetic approach to address specific challenges posed by Celsus underscores the importance of adaptive apologetics. Apologists should tailor their responses to address the unique objections and concerns of their audience, whether they pertain to philosophy, science, ethics, or theology.

Origen's approach in Contra Celsum offers a blueprint for contemporary Christians to engage effectively with critics of Christianity. By embracing a balanced, intellectually flexible, and adaptive approach while also ensuring their arguments resonate with a broad audience, apologists can more effectively defend and communicate the Christian faith in today's complex landscape.