Origen: An Introduction to His Life and Thought (Cascade Companions)

The late second and early third century was a turbulent time in the Roman Empire and in the relationship between the empire and the church. Origen was the son of a Christian martyr and was himself imprisoned and tortured in his late life in a persecution that targeted leaders of the church. Deeply pious and a gifted scholar, Origen stands as one of the most influential Christian teachers in church history, and also one of the most controversial. This introduction to Origen begins by looking at some of the circumstances that were formative influences on his life. It then turns to some key elements in his thought. The approach here differs from that taken by most earlier studies by working from the central position that Scripture had for Origen. Heine argues that Origen's thought, in his later life especially, reflects his continual interaction with the Bible. "Heine's book provides an excellent entree into Origen, the towering scholar and churchman who flourished in the early third century. For those who wish to learn about Origen's life, how he engaged Scripture, or key themes in his thinking, Heine offers a clear, concise, and accessible orientation. I especially recommend it for readers who are beginning their study of the church fathers." --Peter W. Martens, Professor of Early Christianity, Saint Louis University "Origen rightly remains ever fascinating and ever controversial. There is no better guide to the great Alexandrian than Ron Heine, and this book displays on every page the deep erudition and skills of precise observation that we have come to expect. There simply is no better short introduction." --Lewis Ayres, Professor of Catholic and Historical Theology, Durham University "The overflowing biblical treasures of Origen, for so long misunderstood, forgotten, and even suppressed, are slowly being rediscovered. This book offers a master class conducted by one of the world's foremost Origen interpreters, who here condenses a lifetime of closely reading Origen's texts into an attractively accessible introduction. A gift to students and teachers, Ron Heine's Origen is a model of crystalline clarity and evocative insight." --Michael Cameron, Professor of Historical Theology, University of Portland Ronald E. Heine is Professor Emeritus of Bible and Theology at Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon. He is the author of several books on early Christian authors and subjects and translator of many of Origen's exegetical and homiletical works, including The Commentary of Origen on the Gospel of St Matthew (2018), Origen: Commentary on the Gospel according to John (1989, 1993), and Origen: Homilies on Genesis and Exodus (1982). Read more