Against Celsus (Books I - III)

Against Celsus is an important early apologetic work by Origen of Alexandria (184 - 253 A.D.), written in Greek, in refutation of the writings of Celsus, a pagan philosopher who had written against Christianity in his treatise "The True Word." Celsus charged that many Christian doctrines were irrational and that Christians were uneducated, deluded, and unpatriotic. He also claimed that Jesus had used black magic and that he plagiarized the teachings of Plato. Celsus warned that Christianity was pulling people away from traditional religion and the values it held.

A wealthy Christian, Ambrose, requested that Origen write a response. The response was partly aimed at those interested in Christianity, but who had not yet decided to convert. Origen also responded to each of Celsus's points, with regard to the role of faith, the identity of Jesus, the allegorical interpretation of the Bible, and how the Greek religion related to Christianity. This work had been widely praised and cited throughout late antiquity.

This translation of Books I-III is from "The writings of Origen Vol. 1" Edinburgh T.&T. Clark 1911 by Frederick Crombie (1827-1889). The original Bible references and Greek footnotes are preserved in this text. Also included are images of the Greek and Roman gods mentioned as well as events from the Gospel referred to by Origen.