Yale University Library Research Guides: Early Christianity and Patristics: Origen

Introduction to Origen

To browse materials on Origen, use call number BR1720.O7.

Early Christian thinkers; an introduction to Clement of Alexandria and Origen by Kraft, Heinrich
Origin of Alexandria: His World and His Legacy by Charles Kannengiesser
Origen by Joseph W. Trigg comprehensive and accessible insight into Origen's life and writings. introduction analyzes the principal influences, his emergence as a mature theologian at Alexandria, his work in Caesarea and his controversial legacy. translations of a selection of Origen's writings.

Origen in Translation

Origen: Contra Celsum by Henry Chadwick translation is preceded by a introduction which includes discussion on Celsus' date, identity and theological outlook, as well as an account of Origen's philosophical background and method. notes elucidate obscure allusions.
Homilies on Judges by Elizabeth Dively Lauro homilies expound on themes extracted from Judges 2-7. Some of the homilies focus generally on God's redemption of Israel through judges after each cycle of sin, enslavement, and repentance, while others stress that victory belongs to God alone. these homilies are extant only in Rufinus's fourth-century Latin translation/ Online available.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Books 1-5 by Thomas P. Scheck Online available.
Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Books 6-10 by Thomas P. Scheck Online available.
Homilies on Genesis and Exodus by Ronald E. Heine Online available.
Commentary on the Gospel of John, Books 1-10 by Ronald E. Heine Online available.
The Fathers of the Church by Gary Wayne Barkley This new translation of Origen's Homilies on Leviticus may be read as a companion to Ronald E. Heine's translation of Origen's Homilies on Genesis and Exodus, volume 71 in the Fathers of the Church series. Both volumes reveal Origen's tenacious belief that, although the meaning of Scripture was threefold, that is, literal, moral, and spiritual, the most important interpretation was the spiritual. The Homilies on Leviticus were delivered during a three-year cycle between 238 and 244 in Alexandria where Origen was a brilliant teacher, theologian, churchman, and exegete until his imprisonment and torture under Decian and his reluctant death in Tyre in 253/254. They were translated by Rufinus, who admitted to having changed the text by condensing the homilies and, at the same time, expanding some of the explanations. Nevertheless they provide valuable insights on the third-century Church, touching on topics of conversion from sin, works of piety, baptism, Lent and fasting, the ordination of a priest, and the process of Christian discipline. Perhaps Origen's most significant theological contribution, however, is his doctrine of the Trinity which influenced the Trinitarian debates of the fourth and fifth centuries. Origen was the most prolific write of all the writers of the Early Church. Eusebius numbers his books at 2000, and St. Jerome writes of 786 works. But Origen's chief aim, as an interpreter of the Scriptures, was to draw out the historical meaning of the text and communicate that wisdom of perception to his flock. It was this that inspired his profound spiritual interpretation in the Homilies on Leviticus so finely translated in this volume. Online available.
Commentary on the Gospel According to John, Books 13-32 by Ronald E. Heine Online available.
Homilies on Luke by Joseph T. Lienhard Origen of Alexandria (born circa AD 185) is one of the most influential of the Church fathers, and ranks among the most prolific writers and teachers in the history of the Church. He preached on most of the bible, and his homilies influenced Christian writers and theologians for centuries after his death. Online available.
Homilies on Jeremiah and 1 Kings 28 by John Clark Smith Presented in this volume are the remains of twenty-two homilies and a collection of fragments delivered by Origen around A.D. 240. The original texts of the homilies on Jeremiah have not come down to us completely; two of the homilies survive only in a Latin translation of St. Jerome. The homily on I Kings 28, while not a part of the homilies on Jeremiah, deals with the Witch of Endor and has been added to this volume in virtue of its own inherent interest. Online available.