thistle << If that is true then what value should anyone place on any of his writings? >>
He was later declared a heretic on such things as the nature of relationship of Father to Son, also his “universalism” that all beings would be saved (including Satan and demons, etc).
The value of Origen is that he wrote early (early 3rd century), and contributed many many writings including biblical commentaries, and an early systematic theology, etc. William Jurgens writes on Origen:
“The disputes known as the Origenist controversies, in respect to the orthodoxy of his doctrine, arose never during his life, but three times after his death: c. A.D. 300, c. A.D. 400, and c. A.D. 550. He was a great scholar and a great theologian, and strove always to be Catholic in his faith. Yet, he came finally to be regarded as a heretic, which accounts largely for the fact that so many of his writings have perished entirely…It is generally stated that Origen’s heresies are nowhere clearer than in his work on ‘The Fundamental Doctrines’ [De principiis]. Nevertheless, it should be noted that he is generally very careful to distinguish between Catholic doctrine and his own speculations, which latter he presents as no more than possibilities which would have to stand the test of acceptance or rejection in the teaching Church. The work undoubtedly suffers from an overly active Platonic influence, and from allegorical interpretation of Scripture; yet, it stands firmly and immovably and without pretence as neither more nor less than a theological monument of absolutely epic proportions.” (Jurgens, Faith of the Early Fathers, volume 1, p. 189-190)
Phil P
