How did Origen describe the goodness and power of God?

For the theologian Origen, the goodness and power of God are the foundational principles upon which his entire theological system rests.1

The Nature of Divine Power

Origen taught that God is omnipotent, but he explicitly rejected the idea that this power is arbitrary or devoid of moral quality. He argued that one cannot appeal to God’s omnipotence to justify or rationalize absurdity. Instead, God’s power is inextricably linked to his nature as a just and good Creator. While God is transcendent, he is also immanently active within the created order, maintaining the existence of the cosmos through his will.1

The Expression of Divine Goodness

Origen viewed God’s goodness as an overflowing love that prompted the creation of rational and spiritual beings through the Logos. This act of creation involved a degree of self-limitation by God. Because God is essentially good, Origen believed that his love would ultimately triumph over all things. He maintained that God never coerces his creatures; rather, he acts with a reformative intention. Even when God punishes, those actions are remedial and pedagogic, serving as a means of discipline to restore souls to their original blessedness.1