God and Nature Winter 2022
Origen: a Black scientist and early Church Father |
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By Omololu Fagunwa
Black History Month originated in the United States, where it is celebrated in February, and in the United Kingdom the month of October is dedicated to remembering, recognising, and eulogising Black history, people, and events.
While the racial categories we use today are modern constructs, it is important to raise awareness of the African history of the early Christian church. Origen, one of the greatest Bible scholars, was a Black scientist from ancient Egypt, and it is appropriate to celebrate his life for Black History month.
Origen was born circa 185 AD to Christian parents in Alexandria, Egypt. He was home-schooled by his father, Leonides, who was a prominent teacher of mathematics, rhetoric, and Greek literature. For a time, he was a student of Clement of Alexandria, the director of the catechetical school. Apart from his Christian learning, he studied Greek philosophy under pagan teachers. It is believed that he adapted some elements of Greek philosophy into his Christian doctrine. Notwithstanding, Origen won wide acclaim for his well delivered lectures at Rome, Caesarea, and Jerusalem. His lifestyle was said to have been one of self-denial, yet nothing hampered the excellence of his letters. He critically studied biblical texts and produced vivid explanations of the Scriptures.
Black History Month originated in the United States, where it is celebrated in February, and in the United Kingdom the month of October is dedicated to remembering, recognising, and eulogising Black history, people, and events.
While the racial categories we use today are modern constructs, it is important to raise awareness of the African history of the early Christian church. Origen, one of the greatest Bible scholars, was a Black scientist from ancient Egypt, and it is appropriate to celebrate his life for Black History month.
Origen was born circa 185 AD to Christian parents in Alexandria, Egypt. He was home-schooled by his father, Leonides, who was a prominent teacher of mathematics, rhetoric, and Greek literature. For a time, he was a student of Clement of Alexandria, the director of the catechetical school. Apart from his Christian learning, he studied Greek philosophy under pagan teachers. It is believed that he adapted some elements of Greek philosophy into his Christian doctrine. Notwithstanding, Origen won wide acclaim for his well delivered lectures at Rome, Caesarea, and Jerusalem. His lifestyle was said to have been one of self-denial, yet nothing hampered the excellence of his letters. He critically studied biblical texts and produced vivid explanations of the Scriptures.
"...he opposed the idea that the creation story should be interpreted as a literal and historical account of how God created the world." |
Following a dispute with the Bishop of Alexandria, Origen moved to Caesarea, where he spent most of his adult life. Even though he was never in complete harmony with his Bishop, and he had some differences with Rome, his strength and influence were in constant demand to fight heretical ideas and the thinking of non-believers. Origen was a prolific Christian scholar and writer, employing clerks, scribes, and calligraphers as assistants. He wrote thousands of manuscripts, many of which have been lost. He was a vital part of the foundation and the fabric of what the great Christian Church was to become.
Best known for his works On First Principles (De Principiis) (1) and Against Celsus (Contra Celsum) (2), Origen presented the main doctrines of Christianity and defended them against pagan accusations. Among other important positions, he opposed the idea that the creation story should be interpreted as a literal and historical account of how God created the world. There were other voices before Origen who advocated more symbolic interpretations of the creation story, but Origen’s views were influential for other early church thinkers who came after him.
Origen also saw no conflict between natural healing and supernatural healing. Despite being a highly spiritual man, he was not against secular physicians; he held the position that the efforts of physicians are not in vain even when there is divine intervention.
For, as in the latter instance, intercourse with a woman is not employed in vain, seeing it is an utter impossibility for him who does not use it to beget children; so, in the former, if recovery from disease is to be accomplished by means of the healing art, of necessity the physician is summoned, and it is therefore false to say that in ‘vain do you call in a physician’.
(In Contra Celsum, Book II, Chapter 20)
On the matter of healing, Origen debunked the pagans’ claim of the superiority of Aesculapius (Asclepius, Greek god of medicine) and of the prophetic power of Apollo over the divine healing power of Jesus Christ.
Oration and Panegyric address to Origen, written by Gregory Thaumaturgus in honour of Origen, describes in detail the master's pedagogical methods. The book indicates that Origen instructed Gregory and his brother Athenodorus in philosophy, physics, geometry, and astronomy.
Some of Origen’s references to science are contained in De Principiis. As part of an extended argument that God and the Holy Spirit are not physical beings but Spirits, Origen illustrates how saints partake in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit through the analogy of healers participating in the science or art of medicine. He does then emphasise that the nature of the Holy Spirit is of course very different from that of human science.
In another analogy, Origen enjoins Christians to be devoted to the knowledge and wisdom of God in order not to deflect from God or fall away, just as scientists must continue to study diligently and not let their knowledge fall into neglect.
According to our point of view, then, so long as that geometer or physician continues to exercise himself in the study of his art and in the practice of its principles, the knowledge of his profession abides with him; but if he withdraw from its practice, and lay aside his habits of industry, then, by his neglect, at first a few things will gradually escape him, then by and by more and more, until in course of time everything will be forgotten, and be completely effaced from the memory. It is possible, indeed, that when he has first begun to fall away, and to yield to the corrupting influence of a negligence which is small as yet, he may, if he be aroused and return speedily to his senses, repair those losses which up to that time are only recent, and recover that knowledge which hitherto had been only slightly obliterated from his mind.
(De Principiis, Book 1, chapter 4, paragraph 1)
Origen was of the opinion that true life is a life in Christ, not life lived only for personal pleasure, nor for community benefits or even devoted to study or learning. He also held that the diversity of creation and nature can only be fully understood after death (in resurrection).
With respect to astronomical thought in relation to theology, Origen believed that there are numerous celestial bodies that are not visible or as yet comprehensible to man, but which will be made known in the fullness of time by God in the celestial abode (i.e. heaven).
In the third book of De Principiis, Origen discusses the three types of wisdom—wisdom of this world, wisdom of the princes of the world, and wisdom of God—distinguished by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 2:6), and defends the kind of “wisdom of the world” in which science is included, as long as it is understood that this wisdom can only address things that belong to this world and not divine things.
There is therefore a wisdom of this world, and also probably a wisdom belonging to each individual prince of this world. But with respect to the wisdom of God alone, we perceive that this is indicated, that it operated to a less degree in ancient and former times, and was (afterwards) more fully revealed and manifested through Christ.
(De Principiis, Book 3, chapter 3, paragraph 1)
In Letter to Gregory, Origen considers the study of Scripture to be the highest of all studies, and regards scientific learning, in which he was himself a master, as merely preparatory for this supreme learning. Geometry and astronomy were considered to be the highest scientific studies of that time. Importantly, Origen saw the relevance of science to Christian faith, including when it came to interpretation of the Scriptures.
In honour of Black History Month, we remember and celebrate the powerful work of God in and through the lives of influential Black people, from enslaved Christians and abolitionists to civil rights figures, and now a Black early Church Father.
References
Omololu Fagunwa is a Christian faith scholar and microbiologist. At the University of Huddersfield, his PhD research focuses on understanding the roles of gut microbes in health and disease, and how they help us in environment and creation care. He passionately engages in and encourages scientific endeavours to the glory of God and benefit of his creation. He is a member of ASA and CiS. He is actively engaged with speaking in churches, writing articles, and hosting the Called Scientist program on social media.
Best known for his works On First Principles (De Principiis) (1) and Against Celsus (Contra Celsum) (2), Origen presented the main doctrines of Christianity and defended them against pagan accusations. Among other important positions, he opposed the idea that the creation story should be interpreted as a literal and historical account of how God created the world. There were other voices before Origen who advocated more symbolic interpretations of the creation story, but Origen’s views were influential for other early church thinkers who came after him.
Origen also saw no conflict between natural healing and supernatural healing. Despite being a highly spiritual man, he was not against secular physicians; he held the position that the efforts of physicians are not in vain even when there is divine intervention.
For, as in the latter instance, intercourse with a woman is not employed in vain, seeing it is an utter impossibility for him who does not use it to beget children; so, in the former, if recovery from disease is to be accomplished by means of the healing art, of necessity the physician is summoned, and it is therefore false to say that in ‘vain do you call in a physician’.
(In Contra Celsum, Book II, Chapter 20)
On the matter of healing, Origen debunked the pagans’ claim of the superiority of Aesculapius (Asclepius, Greek god of medicine) and of the prophetic power of Apollo over the divine healing power of Jesus Christ.
Oration and Panegyric address to Origen, written by Gregory Thaumaturgus in honour of Origen, describes in detail the master's pedagogical methods. The book indicates that Origen instructed Gregory and his brother Athenodorus in philosophy, physics, geometry, and astronomy.
Some of Origen’s references to science are contained in De Principiis. As part of an extended argument that God and the Holy Spirit are not physical beings but Spirits, Origen illustrates how saints partake in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit through the analogy of healers participating in the science or art of medicine. He does then emphasise that the nature of the Holy Spirit is of course very different from that of human science.
In another analogy, Origen enjoins Christians to be devoted to the knowledge and wisdom of God in order not to deflect from God or fall away, just as scientists must continue to study diligently and not let their knowledge fall into neglect.
According to our point of view, then, so long as that geometer or physician continues to exercise himself in the study of his art and in the practice of its principles, the knowledge of his profession abides with him; but if he withdraw from its practice, and lay aside his habits of industry, then, by his neglect, at first a few things will gradually escape him, then by and by more and more, until in course of time everything will be forgotten, and be completely effaced from the memory. It is possible, indeed, that when he has first begun to fall away, and to yield to the corrupting influence of a negligence which is small as yet, he may, if he be aroused and return speedily to his senses, repair those losses which up to that time are only recent, and recover that knowledge which hitherto had been only slightly obliterated from his mind.
(De Principiis, Book 1, chapter 4, paragraph 1)
Origen was of the opinion that true life is a life in Christ, not life lived only for personal pleasure, nor for community benefits or even devoted to study or learning. He also held that the diversity of creation and nature can only be fully understood after death (in resurrection).
With respect to astronomical thought in relation to theology, Origen believed that there are numerous celestial bodies that are not visible or as yet comprehensible to man, but which will be made known in the fullness of time by God in the celestial abode (i.e. heaven).
In the third book of De Principiis, Origen discusses the three types of wisdom—wisdom of this world, wisdom of the princes of the world, and wisdom of God—distinguished by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 2:6), and defends the kind of “wisdom of the world” in which science is included, as long as it is understood that this wisdom can only address things that belong to this world and not divine things.
There is therefore a wisdom of this world, and also probably a wisdom belonging to each individual prince of this world. But with respect to the wisdom of God alone, we perceive that this is indicated, that it operated to a less degree in ancient and former times, and was (afterwards) more fully revealed and manifested through Christ.
(De Principiis, Book 3, chapter 3, paragraph 1)
In Letter to Gregory, Origen considers the study of Scripture to be the highest of all studies, and regards scientific learning, in which he was himself a master, as merely preparatory for this supreme learning. Geometry and astronomy were considered to be the highest scientific studies of that time. Importantly, Origen saw the relevance of science to Christian faith, including when it came to interpretation of the Scriptures.
In honour of Black History Month, we remember and celebrate the powerful work of God in and through the lives of influential Black people, from enslaved Christians and abolitionists to civil rights figures, and now a Black early Church Father.
References
- Origen, De Principiis: Christian Literature Publishing Co., Buffalo, NY; 1885.
- Origen, Contra Celsum: Christian Literature Publishing Co., Buffalo, NY; 1885.
Omololu Fagunwa is a Christian faith scholar and microbiologist. At the University of Huddersfield, his PhD research focuses on understanding the roles of gut microbes in health and disease, and how they help us in environment and creation care. He passionately engages in and encourages scientific endeavours to the glory of God and benefit of his creation. He is a member of ASA and CiS. He is actively engaged with speaking in churches, writing articles, and hosting the Called Scientist program on social media.