|
BUT since carping detractors have imposed upon many persons and have
succeeded in deterring them from reading Origen, as though he were a
blasphemous writer, I deem it not unseasonable to make a few
observations respecting him. Worthless characters, and such as are
destitute of ability to attain eminence themselves, often seek to get
into notice by decrying those who excel them. And first Methodius,
bishop of a city in Lycia named Olympus, labored under this malady;
next Eustathius, who for a short time presided over the church at
Antioch; after him Apollinaris; and lastly Theophilus. This
quaternion of revilers has traduced Origen, but not on the same
grounds, one having found one cause of accusation against him, and
another another; and thus each has demonstrated that what he has taken
no objection to, he has fully accepted. For since one has attacked
one opinion in particular, and another has found fault with another,
it is evident that each has admitted as true what he has not assailed,
giving a tacit approbation to what he has not attacked. Methodius
indeed, when he had in various places railed against Origen,
afterwards as if retracting all he had previously said, expresses his
admiration of the man, in a dialogue which he entitled Xenon. But I
affirm that from the censure of these men, greater commendation accrues
to Origen. For those who have sought out whatever they deemed worthy
of reprobation in him, and yet have never charged him with holding
unsound views respecting the holy Trinity, are in this way most
distinctly shown to bear witness to his orthodox piety: and by not
reproaching him on this point, they commend him by their own
testimony. But Athanasius the defender of the doctrine of
consubstantiality, in his Discourses against the Arians continually
cites this author as a witness of his own faith, interweaving his words
with his own, and saying, 'The most admirable and assiduous
Origen,' says he, 'by his own testimony confirms our doctrine
concerning the Son of God, affirming him to be co-eternal with the
Father.' Those therefore who load Origen with opprobrium, overlook
the fact that their maledictions fall at the same time on Athanasius,
the eulogist of Origen. So much will be enough for the vindication of
Origen; we shah now return to the course of our history.
|
|