c. AD 185 – c. 253

Origen of Alexandria

The most prolific scholar of the early Church; he produced the Hexapla, a six-column comparison of Old Testament texts, and wrote commentaries on most of Scripture.

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Location
Alexandria and Caesarea
Role
Biblical scholar, teacher and theologian
Major writings
  • On First Principles; Against Celsus; Hexapla; biblical commentaries and homilies
Teachings
  • Literal, moral and spiritual senses of Scripture
  • Rational defence of Christianity against pagan critics
Connection to apostolic Christianity
He appealed to the rule of faith handed down from the apostles as the boundary of legitimate speculation, though some later positions attributed to him were condemned in the sixth century.

Quotations with references

The Scriptures were composed by the Spirit of God, and have not only that meaning which is obvious, but also another which escapes most.

On First Principles, preface 8

Sources and References