Historical Presentation Intro. to Christianity
- was one of the most learned and most original Christian teachers of our time
- he served as a teacher of the Catechumens in the church in Alexandria
- he was the most prolific writer of the pre-Nicene church
- Origen produced doctrinal and apologetic works as well as commentaries on most of the books in the Bible
- he traveled a lot allowing him to become well known among the Christian leaders of the world
- his writings reflect brilliant spiritual insights, however some show unsound theological speculations
- it is believed that Origen was excommunicated from the church as a heretic
- a person who holds a belief that is different from that of the church
- but evidence does not support that claim
- what is known was that he was expelled from Alexandria by his Bishop, Demetrius
- not because of his teaching of heresy, but because the bishop was jealous of Origen's effect on others
- Origen was therefore only a layman, but was the most celebrated Christian teacher of his time and better known then Demetrius, his Bishop
- the high point of Demetrius' jealousy came when Origen was ordained as a presbyter by the Bishop of Caesarea, during his travels
-an elder in the early Christian Church
- this caused Origen to be unable to serve in the Church of Alexandria
- the remainder of his life was spent as a presbyter at Caesarea, which is located in Palestine
- there he taught, preached, and defended the church against heretics and Pagan accusers
- he was very well known for his scholarly achievements
- it was said that either friend or enemy could escape Origen's influence
- no other author made such a controversy during Christian times long ago
- many followed in his footsteps and appealed to him
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