Image: Bust of Philip the Arab (c. 204-249). The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
This is an occasional series of readings from and brief notes
and commentary upon Eusebius of Caesarea’s The
Ecclesiastical History: Book 6, chapters 33-38. Listen here.
Notes and Commentary:
These chapters continue the account
of the life of Origen, with some special emphasis on his refutations of heresies,
his interaction with the imperial family, and his writing.
Chapter 33 describes how
Beryllus, bishop of Bostra in Arabia, denied the pre-existence and divinity of
Christ and was corrected in his views by Origen in a synod.
Chapter 34 describes
how the emperor Philip succeeded Gordian as Roman emperor. Marcus Julius Philippus
(c. 204-249), also known as Philip the Arab, was the emperor from 244-249. Eusebius
claims that he was a Christian. If true, he would have been the first Christian
emperor (pre-dating Constantine). Later historians have suggested he was not a
Christian but only that he was sympathetic with and lenient toward the
Christians. Eusebius says the emperor wished to join the Christians on the last
day of the paschal vigil, but he was not permitted to do so by the presiding
officer (the bishop), till he confessed his sins and was placed with the penitent.
It is said that he readily obeyed this order.
Chapter 35 notes the
death of Heraclas of Alexandria and his replacement by Dionysius as bishop.
Chapter 36 notes that
Origen, now over 60 years in age, allowed “short-hand writers” to take down his
public discourses.
In this time, he composed his response
to the anti-Christian work True Discourse of Celsus the Epicurean, as well
as his commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew, and on the Twelve Prophets (the
Book of the Twelve).
Eusebius also notes a collection of
more than a hundred of Origen’s letters, including ones written to the emperor
Philip, to Philip’s wife Severa, to Fabian of Rome, and to other church
leaders.
He adds that more information on
Origen is supplied in his Apology on the life of Origen.
Chapter 37 notes
another heresy that arose in Arabia, which taught that the soul perishes at
death and is only revived at the resurrection. Origen also refuted this view in
a synod.
Chapter 38 describes
another heretical movement, the Helkesaites, refuted by Origen in an address on
Psalm 82. The errors of this group included its rejection of “the Apostle” (presumably,
the writings of Paul), its suggestion that one could deny the faith with his
mouth but not in his heart, and its claim to have a book “fallen from heaven”
which taught a means of forgiveness other than through Christ.
Conclusion:
These chapters present Origen as the
premiere “orthodox” theologian of his time, an effective teacher and writer, called
upon to refute and correct various errors. It also describes the rise of Philip
and claims that he was a Christian and corresponded with Origen. These claims
about Origen are striking given that some of his own teaching came under
suspicious in later generations and were denounced as heterodox.
JTR
