Thinking with Origen Today: Hermeneutical Challenges and Future Directions

Re-thinking Origen serves as the final instalment of a distinctive theological project. It follows two previous issues Modern Theology, Gregory Nyssa and Dionysius Areopagite, to complete trilogy.11 = Volume 18, Issue 4 (Oct 2002); Areopagite 24, 2008). The unity trilogy lies in its intellectual affinity twentieth-century project patristic ressourcement which involves thinking not only about early Christian fathers but with them luminous figures, though our contemporaries, who promise generate fresh directions present. underlying conviction is that Patristics constitutes crucial resource for rethinking practice direction systematic philosophical theology modern (and postmodern) condition. Patristics, virtue historical distance, helps recalibrate imagination by challenging us encounter anew foundational resources Christianity (Bible, tradition, liturgy, ascetical practice), encouraging reconsider options fallen wayside or roads taken en route theology’s present This exercise gifts disciplines new resources, well modes attention, both can help inform how theologians might live perform task speaking God Given conceptual between instalments trilogy, I shall begin this introduction sketching out issue relates at heart trilogy. focus collection essays concerns figure Alexandria (ca.185-ca.254), third-century teacher, exegete, preacher, philosopher, speculative theologian, ascetic. Despite being most important thinker first three centuries Christianity, he left paradoxical legacy history. For long after his death, indeed, even amidst own lifetime, became centre controversies. His tainted reputation subsequent history largely result developments surrounding “Origenist controversies” culminated condemnation “Origenist” teachings regional synod (400) subsequently Emperor Justinian condemnatory documents against “Origenism” (543) 15 anathemata appended Second Council Constantinople (553). therefore unsurprising ever since Late Antiquity, has received mixed reception. Nevertheless, there are clear signs we currently witnessing one intense surges interest Origen. especially forefront discipline today. obvious place note Alexandrian’s presence contemporary discourse lively debates merits pitfalls universalism, doctrine will be restoration (apokatastasis) all things divine economy. crux debate universalism reassess Christianity. Anyone familiar recent scholarship have noticed divergent evaluations amongst major voices (Ilaria Ramelli David Bentley Hart, on hand, Michael McClymond, other) closely bound up historiographical assessments Origen’s importance development Theology.22 See McClymond’s exchange Theological Studies, 76, no. (December 2015). Ramelli’s reconstruction Ilaria Ramelli, Doctrine Apokatastasis: A Critical Assessment from New Testament Eriugena: 120 (Leiden : Brill, 2013); McClymond offers J. Devil’s Redemption: History Interpretation Universalism, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018). also discussion That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, Universal Salvation (New Haven CT: Yale University Press, 2021). Another noteworthy attempt order think him constructively John Behr’s work prolegomena.33 Behr, Theologian Paschal Gospel: Prologue Theology (Oxford: Oxford constructive account incarnation Christology, cornerstone what calls prologue theology, draws great inspiration Origen: begins through paschal mystery, light Jesus Nazareth no longer viewed physical properties translated into spiritual gospel, proclamation true identity Logos. proposal was greatly shaped reinterpretation understanding Incarnation protology-eschatology pairing On First Principles (de Principiis).44 trans., Principles, 1, Early Texts 2017), Introduction, rereading de Princ. 2.6 (lxvi-lxxvii), McCabe-inspired interpretation (lxxvi-lxxx), apocalyptic reading (lxxx-lxxxviii), features heavily monograph Gospel (compare Theologian, 19-26, 28-30). instance engagement found volume Sarah Coakley’s she Prayer oratione) recover prayer-based model Trinity.55 Coakley, God, Sexuality, Self: An Essay “on Trinity” (Cambridge: Cambridge 2013), ch.3. She argues taught an “incorporative” Trinity, preserves forgotten pneumatological Romans 8 prayer, alongside more well-known linear, “subordinationist” often associated Alexandrian. recovery framework promises repair broken connection Trinitarian rediscover nexus associations traditional “between Spirit, loss control, dangers women’s attractiveness sexual susceptibility.”66 Self, 128. These examples indicate so much single locus postmodern concern led upsurge In regard, state sparks need special differs gave rise namely, dominant strand readings (Gregory Trinitarianism systematics, Denys apophaticism theology) had emerged call deeper hermeneutical correctives. Rather, today suggests bewildering variety level (how Origen) read Origen). face diversity, unfamiliar vast literature growing interdisciplinary field studies easily lose their way. Moreover, anyone worked know, texts staging conversation small challenge. easy get lost labyrinth never-ending movement exegetical conduct symphony polyphonic different parts Scripture. these challenges, best aids theologian navigate interpreting corpus constructively. To meet challenge, brings together thirteen address perennial challenges every generation readers needs tackle anew. How do reread areas been hermeneutic dominated assess doctrinal orthodoxy heresy? controversial challenge decide make heretical key junctures Geist und Feuer, Hans Urs von Balthasar explains decision regard materials irrelevant retrieve thought reader.77 Balthasar, Spirit Fire: Thematic Anthology Writings, trans. Robert Daly (Washington, DC: Catholic America 1984), 1-23. Jennifer Newsome Martin’s essay issue. approach, doubt fuelled certain panoramic narrative history, severely limits reception restricting significance within overly one-sided Orthodoxy wherein Alexandrian primarily interpreted lens (later) accusers fourth till sixth century. approach followed here. question animates group is: it possible bypass polemical engage themes anew? If so, alternative interpretative strategies promising areas? four sources probing beyond standard associating either “subordination” “anti-subordinationism.” Together, provide right, free alignment misalignment later Nicene orthodoxy. theme emerges significant source thought, regarded subordinationist tendencies, Johannine language itself. Pui Him Ip Giovanni Hermanin Reichenfeld build case provenance thought. Both take seriously. interpret sustained pattern inner dynamics life idiom. Whether should described subordinationism remains open issue, evident fact whereas inclined steer away language, happy retain it. treatment love hitherto little attention. He distinction Father agapē (1 4:8) Son ek tou theou 4:7), claim same agapē, derived 1 John. particular, insistence Son’s derivation from, participation in, patterned sonship mode divinity human beings assume deification. As 4:7, become like (cf. theou, is, they becoming sons. Since deification ongoing incorporation humanity begotten must entail sense dependence participation. this, urges shift sonship, Father-Son origin emphasis “middle” bridges humanity. turns instead subordination Holy arguing thoroughly motif. distinguish ontological priority (one applies intra-trinitarian relations) superiority God-world relation). Unlike Ip, contends Spirit’s Trinity aptly double because (1) possesses attributes fully perfectly while (2) possession depends upon participatory mediated Son. shows (persuasively my view) position derives synthesis 1:1, 1:3, 4:24, 14:26, 14:28. pneumatology thus neatly captures intra-Trinitarian context without turning mere creature whom full perfect attributes, unlike Son, never obtains. With Biblical roots reinvigorated, situated second highlighted Giulio Maspero Rowan Williams: practices. According Maspero, prayer central intention theology: distinguishing creation pure subsistence shared Father, Spirit. deepening resolutely anti-materialistic Trinity. But binary (purely spiritual) created (material) raises difficulty defining distinctions leads linear implies gradations divine. solution complement triangular model, places equal footing sent mission world. Drawing interplay models, way proposes unwarranted “subordination.” concludes held co-equality persons incomplete “participatory” express difference persons. Williams’ traces various misreadings At level, concerned accounts Logos restrict domain power lead divisibility life. Williams interpreters—critics defenders alike—missed behind emphases. What fears tearing apart act exegesis logic universe itself, i.e. theology. Divisibility endangers possibility grounding Scriptural intrinsic image eternal return contemplation Father. This, turn, threatens maturity exegete right Scripture, vision relies shape activity inseparably linked. seismic shifts century, terms embedded authority church, made increasingly difficult discern link pedagogical exercise. further evidences point Alongside area complex theory asceticism (for want better term). mentioned before, damaged during century due controversies precisely following redress merits. Origenian circumnavigates contrast simple piety sophistication. Such sustainable Antique ascetics monks. Rubenson, Stang, powerfully underlie potential rich philosophy askēsis.88 attention recently theologians. Simone Kotva, Effort Grace: Spiritual Exercise Philosophy (London: Bloomsbury 2020). Samuel Rubenson’s programmatic understand afresh teacher ascetic demonstrating paideia monk untenable. Indeed, transforms classical progress why such prominent monasticism. monks understood biblical advances program education intended aid Christians Scriptures making giving lives. dimension essential feature person writings, Rubenson argues, clarifies master monastic circles—communities profoundly educational character served centres instruction.99 point, see “Early Monasticism Concept ‘School,’” Monastic Education Antiquity: Transformation Classical Paideia, edited Lillian I. Larsen 2018), 13–32. environment models engaging share towards perfection profound deeply appreciated appropriated status life, encapsulated Origen, may late fourth-century controversy provides theoretical reinterpret shaping philosophy, exegesis, asceticism. Following lead, Charles Stang explores example ideas Egyptian fire, Heraclitus, transmitted fire sources, attending discrepancies (perhaps sanitized) use sources. study judgment purification less apparent Apophthegmata partum literally burst flame, hint ideals holiness were (Stoic-inspired?) divinisation process cooled-down souls once again fiery. Illaria insight reflections go hand exploring metaphysics freedom Nyssa’s known anti-slavery stance. Remarkable Antiquity contrary attitudes many advanced arguments slavery social inequality. freedom, imperial Stoicism perhaps connected Bardaisan Edessa) finds parallel Plotinus, chief Gregory’s arguments. absolute value dignity imago dei, premise arguments, inspired freedom. subordinated creator if grants each determine one’s choices, then creatures could pretend another person’s status. While line tragically did acquire canonical tracing thread establishes justice legacies asceticism, still reclaimed addresses facing interpreters today: kind pursuing writings? relation view separate exegesis? studies, back whether characterised Hellenised (Platonist) master, exegete.1010 brief debates, Herbert Musurillo, “The Recent Revival Studies,” Studies (May 1963): 250–63, (252-54) Joseph Trigg, “A Decade Religious Review 7, (January 1981): 21–27. nature undertaking, reader cannot presuppose commensurability ancient forms required comprehensive reassessment vis-à-vis systematics respectively: where points intersection method, divergence incommensurability? Where disciplinary boundaries facilitate hinder time? Mark Edwards sketches overview relationship philosophy. Traversing landscape “analytic” “continental” guise, fruitful assumptions “conservative” “Orthodox” thinkers those stand outside, edges of, faith. given style doing overlap practised philosophers religion trained analytic school. other shares overlaps (e.g. Barthes Derrida) concurs assumption several figures written real. shows, Derrida’s autonomy writing implication liberty offer constellation (via Plato) exegesis. Edwards’ survey means word topic, sets foundation situating Fernández reconsiders addressing age-old question: (De Principiis) theology? answers seeks problems coherent interconnected body covers primary purpose systematisation work. systematicity entails coherence comprehensiveness, indeed De Principiis. illustrate contours system, offering treatments structure, scope, method Principiis English language. scholars rightly stressed theologies exegetical, illustrates, find emergence system founded neither nor over other—insofar Systematics enterprise. Fernández’s reference scope systematics. third moments likely exert influence today? examines well-established Renaissance modernity: Origenism seventeenth twentieth seminal recognised continue goodness, apokatastasis form sum interests seventeenth-century Origenists (chiefly Ralph Cudworth, Henry More, Anne Conway) attempts respond deterministic currents emerging Europe Spinoza). Hengstermann’s genealogical break ground nexus, characteristic master’s enlightenment rationalism England Germany. established Cambridge, thesis turn passed onto German enlightenment, notably Leibniz works himself (although counterparts mainly restricted select Contra Celsum Principiis). Narrating intricate interconnection rationalists—Leibniz Lessing—Hengstermann ambitious insert Age Enlightenment. Giving Lessing makes revolutionise appreciation modernity. E.S. Kempson Conway’s Origenist exemplary someone edge orthodoxy” There increased Lady Conway drank Whilst her amount recently, underappreciated heterodox theologian. Kempson’s fills lacuna considers dimensions metaphysical system—its Christological character, theodicy, defence theism. treatment, creative whose confronts ethics salvation midst personal search adequate problem evil suffering. Constructively, helpfully six ways t