Origen Against Celsus

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Book I.

Preface.

Chapter I. The first point which Celsus brings forward, in his desire to throw discredit upon Christianity…

Chapter II. Celsus next proceeds to say, that the system of doctrine…

Chapter III. After this, Celsus proceeding to speak of the Christians teaching and practising their favourite doctrines…

Chapter IV. Let us notice also how he thinks to cast discredit upon our system of morals…

Chapter V. Treating of the regulations respecting idolatry as being peculiar to Christianity…

Chapter VI. After this, through the influence of some motive which is unknown to me…

Chapter VII. Moreover, since he frequently calls the Christian doctrine a secret system of belief…

Chapter VIII. It is with a certain eloquence, indeed, that he appears to advocate the cause of…

Chapter IX. He next proceeds to recommend, that in adopting opinions we should follow reason and a…

Chapter X. In the next place, since our opponents keep repeating those statements about faith…

Chapter XI. Since, then, as reason teaches, we must repose faith in some one of those who…

Chapter XII. In the next place, when Celsus says in express words…

Chapter XIII. But since Celsus has declared it to be a saying of many Christians…

Chapter XIV. Celsus, being of opinion that there is to be found among many nations a general…

Chapter XV. How much more impartial than Celsus is Numenius the Pythagorean…

Chapter XVI. I must express my surprise that Celsus should class the Odrysians…

Chapter XVII. In what follows, Celsus, assailing the Mosaic history, finds fault with those who give it…

Chapter XVIII. And challenging a comparison of book with book, I would say…

Chapter XIX. After these statements, Celsus, from a secret desire to cast discredit upon the Mosaic account…

Chapter XX. And yet, against his will, Celsus is entangled into testifying that the world is comparatively…

Chapter XXI. The following is the view of Celsus and the Epicureans…

Chapter XXII. After this, Celsus, without condemning circumcision as practised by the Jews…

Chapter XXIII. After this, Celsus next asserts that "Those herdsmen and shepherds who followed Moses as their…

Chapter XXIV. After this he continues: "These herdsmen and shepherds concluded that there was but one God…

Chapter XXV. And perhaps there is a danger as great as that which degrades the name of…

Chapter XXVI. But let us see the manner in which this Celsus…

Chapter XXVII. Any one who examines the subject will see that Jesus attempted and successfully accomplished works…

Chapter XXVIII. And since, in imitation of a rhetorician training a pupil…

Chapter XXIX. For birth is an aid towards an individual's becoming famous…

Chapter XXX. Now, would not any one who investigated with ordinary care the nature of these facts…

Chapter XXXI. And besides this, one may well wonder how it happened that the disciples -- if…

Chapter XXXII. But let us now return to where the Jew is introduced…

Chapter XXXIII. Now if a particular soul, for certain mysterious reasons…

Chapter XXXIV. But it was, as the prophets also predicted, from a virgin that there was to…

Chapter XXXV. But that we may not seem, because of a Hebrew word…

Chapter XXXVI. And now, since we have touched upon the subject of the prophets…

Chapter XXXVII. I think, then, that it has been pretty well established not only that our Saviour…

Chapter XXXVIII. But, moreover, taking the history, contained in the Gospel according to Matthew…

Chapter XXXIX. I do not think it necessary to grapple with an argument advanced not in a…

Chapter XL. After these assertions, he takes from the Gospel of Matthew…

Chapter XLI. But, that we may not have the appearance of intentionally passing by his charges through…

Chapter XLII. Before we begin our reply, we have to remark that the endeavour to show…

Chapter XLIII. We shall therefore say, in the first place, that if he who disbelieves the appearance…

Chapter XLIV. And with these arguments I answer the Jew, not disbelieving…

Chapter XLV. And I remember on one occasion, at a disputation held with certain Jews who were…

Chapter XLVI. For the law and the prophets are full of marvels similar to those recorded of…

Chapter XLVII. I would like to say to Celsus, who represents the Jew as accepting somehow John…

Chapter XLVIII. Although the Jew, then, may offer no defence for himself in the instances of Ezekiel…

Chapter XLIX. After this he wilfully sets aside, I know not why…

Chapter L. In the next place, as if the only event predicted were this…

Chapter LI. Now the Scripture speaks, respecting the place of the Saviour's birth -- that the Ruler…

Chapter LII. Strife and prejudice are powerful instruments in leading men to disregard even those things which…

Chapter LIII. And if we should ask for a second prophecy…

Chapter LIV. And since Celsus, although professing to know all about the Gospel…

Chapter LV. Now I remember that, on one occasion, at a disputation held with certain Jews…

Chapter LVI. Now it escaped the notice of Celsus, and of the Jew whom he has introduced…

Chapter LVII. The Jew, moreover, in the treatise, addresses the Saviour thus…

Chapter LVIII. After these matters this Jew of Celsus, instead of the Magi mentioned in the Gospel…

Chapter LIX. It has been observed that, on the occurrence of great events…

Chapter LX. To the Greeks, then, I have to say that the Magi…

Chapter LXI. That Herod conspired against the Child although the Jew of Celsus does not believe that…

Chapter LXII. And after such statements, showing his ignorance even of the number of the apostles…

Chapter LXIII. And since Celsus has termed the apostles of Jesus men of infamous notoriety…

Chapter LXIV. But if we were to reproach those who have been converted with their former lives…

Chapter LXV. And since Jesus, in teaching His disciples not to be guilty of rashness…

Chapter LXVI. And in addition to the above, this Jew of Celsus afterwards addresses Jesus…

Chapter LXVII. After the above, this Jew of Celsus, as if he were a Greek who loved…

Chapter LXVIII. But after this, Celsus, having a suspicion that the great works performed by Jesus…

Chapter LXIX. After this, Celsus, confusing together the Christian doctrine and the opinions of some heretical sect…

Chapter LXX. He asserts, moreover, that "the body of a god is not nourished with such food…

Chapter LXXI. Continuing to pour abuse upon Jesus as one who…

Book II.

Chapter I. The first book of our answer to the treatise of Celsus…

Chapter II. Now, since we are upon the subject of Peter…

Chapter III. Our present object, however, is to expose the ignorance of Celsus…

Chapter IV. The Jew, then, continues his address to converts from his own nation thus…

Chapter V. After these matters, although Celsus becomes tautological in his statements about Jesus…

Chapter VI. But let it be granted that Jesus observed all the Jewish usages…

Chapter VII. Moreover, let them show where there is to be found even the appearance of language…

Chapter VIII. He says, further, that "many other persons would appear such as Jesus was…

Chapter IX. The Jew continues his discourse thus: "How should we deem him to be a God…

Chapter X. But what promise did Jesus make which He did not perform? Let Celsus produce any…

Chapter XI. In the next place, that He was betrayed by those whom He called His disciples…

Chapter XII. And the following appear to me to be childish assertions…

Chapter XIII. This Jew of Celsus continues, after the above, in the following fashion…

Chapter XIV. Celsus, however, accepting or granting that Jesus foreknew what would befall Him…

Chapter XV. Celsus continues: "The disciples of Jesus, having no undoubted fact on which to rely…

Chapter XVI. Exceedingly weak is his assertion, that "the disciples of Jesus wrote such accounts regarding him…

Chapter XVII. Extremely foolish also is his remark, "What god, or spirit…

Chapter XVIII. After this the Jew makes another silly remark, saying…

Chapter XIX. Superficial also is his objection, that "it is always the case when a man against…

Chapter XX. Let us see how he continues after this: "These events…

Chapter XXI. Observe also the superficiality and manifest falsity of such a statement of Celsus…

Chapter XXII. He adds to this, as if he had brought together an argument with conclusive demonstrations…

Chapter XXIII. He continues in this strain: "If he had determined upon these things…

Chapter XXIV. After this, wishing to prove that the occurrences which befell Him were painful and distressing…

Chapter XXV. We have mentioned in the preceding pages that there are some of the declarations of…

Chapter XXVI. This Jew of Celsus still accuses the disciples of Jesus of having invented these statements…

Chapter XXVII. After this he says, that certain of the Christian believers…

Chapter XXVIII. And since this Jew of Celsus makes it a subject of reproach that Christians should…

Chapter XXIX. In the preceding pages we have already spoken of this point…

Chapter XXX. This objection also is cast in our teeth by Celsus…

Chapter XXXI. He next charges the Christians with being "guilty of sophistical reasoning…

Chapter XXXII. We have already shown that Jesus can be regarded neither as an arrogant man…

Chapter XXXIII. "But," continues Celsus, "what great deeds did Jesus perform as being a God? Did he…

Chapter XXXIV. This Jew of Celsus, ridiculing Jesus, as he imagines…

Chapter XXXV. But in answer to this objection, "If not before…

Chapter XXXVI. Celsus next says: "What is the nature of the ichor in the body of the…

Chapter XXXVII. After this, he who extracts from the Gospel narrative those statements on which he thinks…

Chapter XXXVIII. The few next remarks: "You, O sincere believers, find fault with us…

Chapter XXXIX. And how can the following assertion of this Jew of Celsus appear anything else than…

Chapter XL. It is, moreover, in a very unphilosophical spirit that Celsus imagines our Lord's pre-eminence among…

Chapter XLI. In the person of the Jew, Celsus continues to find fault with Jesus…

Chapter XLII. But further, since Celsus will have it that "Jesus was not irreproachable…

Chapter XLIII. Celsus next addresses to us the following remark: "You will not…

Chapter XLIV. Celsus in the next place says, with indescribable silliness…

Chapter XLV. But observe the superficial nature of his argument respecting the former disciples of Jesus…

Chapter XLVI. But how can this Jew of Celsus escape the charge of falsehood…

Chapter XLVII. He represents, moreover, a statement of his own as if it were an answer to…

Chapter XLVIII. Celsus, moreover, unable to resist the miracles which Jesus is recorded to have performed…

Chapter XLIX. Jesus, accordingly, in turning away the minds of His disciples…

Chapter LI. Celsus, indeed, evinced a slight knowledge of Scripture when he made Jesus say…

Chapter LII. But since it is a Jew who makes these assertions in the treatise of Celsus…

Chapter LIII. All the arguments, indeed, which this Jew of Celsus advances against those who believe on…

Chapter LIV. After this, forsooth, the Jew of Celsus, to keep up the character assigned to the…

Chapter LV. The Jew continues his address to those of his countrymen who are converts…

Chapter LVI. But since the Jew says that these histories of the alleged descent of heroes to…

Chapter LVII. But observe whether this Jew of Celsus does not talk very blindly…

Chapter LVIII. Further, after these Greek stories which the Jew adduced respecting those who were guilty of…

Chapter LIX. He imagines also that both the earthquake and the darkness were an invention…

Chapter LX. In the next place, as if this were possible…

Chapter LXI. Jesus accordingly, as Celsus imagines, exhibited after His death only the appearance of wounds received…

Chapter LXII. Now it followed from all the predictions which were uttered regarding Him -- amongst which…

Chapter LXIII. After these points, Celsus proceeds to bring against the Gospel narrative a charge which is…

Chapter LXIV. Although Jesus was only a single individual, He was nevertheless more things than one…

Chapter LXV. And why do I say "to all?" For even with His own apostles and disciples…

Chapter LXVI. And be not surprised if all the multitudes who have believed on Jesus do not…

Chapter LXVII. To the best of our ability, therefore, as in a treatise of this nature…

Chapter LXVIII. But let us observe how this Jew of Celsus asserts that…

Chapter LXIX. But we wish to show that His instantaneous bodily disappearance from the cross was not…

Chapter LXX. But how is it that this Jew of Celsus could say that Jesus concealed Himself?…

Chapter LXXI. Jesus taught us who it was that sent Him…

Chapter LXXII. After the above statements, he continues: "If he wished to remain hid…

Chapter LXXIII. The Jew proceeds, after this, to state as a consequence what does not follow from…

Chapter LXXIV. In addition to all this, the Jew further says…

Chapter LXXV. I think what has been stated is enough to convince any one that the unbelief…

Chapter LXXVI. Celsus, in adopting the character of a Jew, could not discover any objections to be…

Chapter LXXVII. After this the Jew remarks, manifestly in accordance with the Jewish belief…

Chapter LXXVIII. The Jew continues: "Did Jesus come into the world for this purpose…

Chapter LXXIX. The conclusion of all these arguments regarding Jesus is thus stated by the Jew…

Book III.

Chapter I. In the first book of our answer to the work of Celsus…

Chapter II. But let Celsus, and those who assent to his charges…

Chapter III. In the next place, miracles were performed in all countries…

Chapter IV. And if the above be the state of the case…

Chapter V. Immediately after these points, Celsus, imagining that the Jews are Egyptians by descent…

Chapter VI. Celsus, therefore, not investigating in a spirit of impartiality the facts…

Chapter VII. In like manner, as the statement is FALSE "that the Hebrews…

Chapter VIII. In the following way, also, we may conclude that they who came out of Egypt…

Chapter IX. But since he is manifestly guilty of falsehood in the statements which follow…

Chapter X. But observe what he alleges as a proof of his statement…

Chapter XI. He says, in addition, that "all the Christians were of one mind…

Chapter XII. In the next place, since he reproaches us with the existence of heresies in Christianity…

Chapter XIII. Now, if these arguments hold good, why should we not defend…

Chapter XIV. After this he continues: "Their union is the more wonderful…

Chapter XV. But again, that it is not the fear of external enemies which strengthens our union…

Chapter XVI. "But what the legends are of every kind which we gather together…

Chapter XVII. He wishes, indeed, to compare the articles of our faith to those of the Egyptians…

Chapter XVIII. In the next place, referring to the statements of the Egyptians…

Chapter XIX. He says, indeed, that "we ridicule the Egyptians, although they present many by no means…

Chapter XX. And we say to those who hold similar opinions to those of Celsus…

Chapter XXI. And I have not yet spoken of the observance of all that is written in…

Chapter XXII. But this low jester Celsus, omitting no species of mockery and ridicule which can be…

Chapter XXIII. But we, in proving the facts related of our Jesus from the prophetic Scriptures…

Chapter XXIV. And again, when it is said of Æsculapius that a great multitude both of Greeks…

Chapter XXV. Now, in order to grant that there did exist a healing spirit named Æsculapius…

Chapter XXVI. Let us see what Celsus says next, when he adduces from history marvellous occurrences…

Chapter XXVII. Now, in answer to this account of Aristeas, we have to say…

Chapter XXVIII. For with what purpose in view did Providence accomplish the marvels related of Aristeas? And…

Chapter XXIX. According to Celsus, then, Apollo wished the Metapontines to treat Aristeas as a god.…

Chapter XXX. For the Church of God, e.…

Chapter XXXI. Now if these things be so, why should it not be consistent with reason to…

Chapter XXXII. But as Celsus next mentions the case of the Clazomenian…

Chapter XXXIII. Celsus, however, shows that he has read a good many Grecian histories…

Chapter XXXIV. I am, however, of opinion that these individuals are the only instances with which Celsus…

Chapter XXXV. But I should like, in answer to him who for some unknown reason advances such…

Chapter XXXVI. But as he next introduces the case of the favourite of Adrian I refer to…

Chapter XXXVII. The Egyptians, then, having been taught to worship Antinous…

Chapter XXXVIII. The belief, then, in Antinous, or any other such person…

Chapter XXXIX. We must notice the remarks which Celsus next makes…

Chapter XL. But observe whether the principles of our faith, harmonizing with the general ideas implanted in…

Chapter XLI. But since he has charged us, I know not how often already…

Chapter XLII. Celsus, then, does not speak as a good reasoner…

Chapter XLIII. He next says of us, that "we ridicule those who worship Jupiter…

Chapter XLIV. After these points Celsus quotes some objections against the doctrine of Jesus…

Chapter XLV. But that the object of Christianity is that we should become wise…

Chapter XLVI. And if you come to the books written after the time of Jesus…

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