Contra Celsum

work by Origen

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June 24, 2026

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Contra Celsum is a significant work by Origen, an early Christian theologian and scholar. Written around 248 CE, it serves as a defense of Christianity against the criticisms of the 2nd-century philosopher Celsus. Celsus attacked Christianity as a crude movement that threatened established traditions and values. Origen's response argues that Christian faith is compatible with intellectual inquiry and can be embraced by thoughtful individuals, not just the uneducated or marginalized. The work is a primary source for understanding both pagan critiques of early Christianity and the Christian responses to them.12

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Origen
Writings
…of Christianity against pagan attack, Contra Celsum, written (probably in 248) at Ambrose’s request, survives in its entirety in one Vatican manuscript, with fragments in the Philocalia and on papyruses. Paragraph by paragraph it answers the Alēthēs logos (“The True Doctrine” or “Discourse”) of the 2nd-century anti-Christian philosopher Celsus and…
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…of Christianity against pagan attack, Contra Celsum, written (probably in 248) at Ambrose’s request, survives in its entirety in one Vatican manuscript, with fragments in the Philocalia and on papyruses. Paragraph by paragraph it answers the Alēthēs logos (“The True Doctrine” or “Discourse”) of the 2nd-century anti-Christian philosopher Celsus and…
Read More

patristic literature
Late 2nd to early 4th century
As an apologist, in his Contra Celsum, he refuted the pagan philosopher Celsus’s damaging onslaught on Christianity. In all his writings, but especially his On First Principles, Origen shows himself to be one of the most original and profound of speculative theologians. Neoplatonist in background, he constructed a system that…
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As an apologist, in his Contra Celsum, he refuted the pagan philosopher Celsus’s damaging onslaught on Christianity. In all his writings, but especially his On First Principles, Origen shows himself to be one of the most original and profound of speculative theologians. Neoplatonist in background, he constructed a system that…
Read More

Stoicism
Stoic elements in Pauline and patristic thought
…is found in the treatise Contra Celsum, by Origen, the most influential Greek theologian of the 3rd century, in which he argued at some length against Stoic doctrines linking God to matter.
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…is found in the treatise Contra Celsum, by Origen, the most influential Greek theologian of the 3rd century, in which he argued at some length against Stoic doctrines linking God to matter.
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