Cross and Creation: A Theological Introduction to Origen of Alexandria
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Overview
Even though the theology of Origen of Alexandria has shaped the Christian Tradition in almost every way, the controversies over his legacy have been seemingly endless. One major interpretative trend, for example, has suggested Origen’s theology is really akin to the heterodox Gnostics against whom he wrote than the actual teaching of the Gospel, since he (supposedly) had a disdainful attitude towards Creation and ultimately saw little redemptive meaning in the Passion.
In Cross and Creation: A Theological Introduction to Origen of Alexandria, Mark Therrien offers an original interpretation of Origen’s theology. Focusing on some of Origen’s most important works (especially On First Principles and the Commentary on John, but ultimately making reference to his writings more broadly), this book retrieves and examines some of the foundational pillars of Origen’s theology through close readings and re-examinations of those texts. It examines eight of these theological foundations: God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the end, the soul, the world, the cross, and deification. Moreover, by showing the connections between Origen’s understanding of these foundational pillars, it also shows the coherence of his theology as a whole. Taken collectively, what emerges from these eight chapters is that two doctrines specially shape Origen’s theology: Cross and Creation. As Therrien shows, Origen did not hold contempt for Creation. Rather, Origen thinks that Creation emerges from the very life of God as eternally foreknown and provided for in the person of Christ, the Wisdom of God the Father. Moreover, he also holds that, though fallen, Creation will be restored according to its original, eternal intention in God precisely through the Passion of Jesus Christ on the Cross. The Cross is thus not minimalized in Origen’s theology; it is rather its very center.
- Offers an original interpretation of Origen’s theology
- Retrieves and examines some of the foundational pillars of Origen’s theology
- Aims to show the coherence of Origen’s theology as a whole
Therrien succeeds in showing that even the early Origen had a coherent, and essentially orthodox, Christian theology. I know of no book in the standard scholarship on Origen that would compete with this.
Joseph T. Lienhard, SJ, Fordham University
A very welcome addition to the increasing body of literature reevaluating Origen, seeing him as a devoted disciple of Christ, Scripture, and the Cross. Accessible and insightful, this will be an essential study for all students of Origen, early Christianity, and theology generally
John Behr, University of Aberdee
Therrien soundly studies Origen as a Biblical theologian, showing Origen’s theology as centered in the Creation and the Cross. Focusing on his First Principles and Commentary on John, he rectifies some still widespread misunderstandings related, for instance, to Origen’s supposed contempt for creation and the eternity of creation. Apokatastasis or universal restoration in Origen’s thought is correctly seen as affected by Christ and the Spirit. Therrien shows that Origen was essentially ‘orthodox’ and anti-Gnostic (even in regard to apokatastasis) and anticipated the main Trinitarian dogmas, especially ‘One Essence, Three Hypostases.’ Origen is rightly considered to be a martyr (a confessor), who participated in Christ’s Crucifixion and redemptive act, in keeping with Origen’s clearly Pauline Theology of the Cross.
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli, University of Cambridge
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