Origen - The Pursuit of the Beautiful Word
Origen (c. 185 – 254 AD) was an ascetic scholar, teacher, priest, apologist and prolific author with a prodigious output. He was called upon as a theological trouble-shooter to resolve disputes in the world-wide Church of his day and in old age was tortured and died a confessor of the faith and virtually a martyr. His legacy had an enormous impact, especially on the Eastern Church, with his work being a source of inspiration to many saints and doctors of the early church as well as the nascent monastic movement. In short, he was arguably the most important & influential figure in the early Church between St Paul and St Augustine.
Some scholars, however, also brand Origen as a heretic of the first order – a Platonic philosopher in Christian clothes and the chief cause of the 4th century Arian controversy. They point to his condemnation by St Jerome at the start of the fifth century, by an Ecumenical Council in the middle of the sixth century, and the fact that his books were ordered to be burned by the Emperor Justinian.
Regardless of the varying opinions of those who study Origen and his works, his influence on later authors and the emerging monastic movement means he cannot simply be ignored or swiftly dismissed.
This course will provide an overview of Origen’s life and work, as well as his approach to key topics such as the (allegorical) interpretation of Scripture and the vital importance of human free will and divine Providence. An overview of his more controversial ideas on cosmology (the structure of creation), eschatology (the “end times”) and the Trinity will also be provided.
Crucially on this Study Day you’ll also encounter Origen first hand through a selection of his writings, especially from his Commentary on the Song of Songs. His inspired & beautiful interpretation of the interplay between Bride and Bridegroom in this text laid the foundation for subsequent commentators in the Early Church period such as Gregory of Nyssa, Ambrose of Milan and Augustine of Hippo.
This course is one in a series focussing on important figures from the Early church period, spanning the second to mid-fifth centuries. Each course will provide an introduction to the individual in question, covering their life, work and unique contribution to the issues of their day with the aim to provide inspiration and provoke reflection for us in our contemporary setting.
Do I need to have any previous knowledge?
Absolutely no previous knowledge of Church history or theology is assumed (although clergy or readers with some background knowledge will still find much of interest). If you’ve read all the way down to this bit and are still interested, you’re sufficiently qualified to attend!
Location
This Study Day is being held in the Ursell Room at Pusey House, Oxford. The entrance for Pusey House is on St Giles’ – you can try the door, but may need to press the intercom buzzer to speak to someone to gain access. Once inside, go up a few steps straight ahead of you and then turn right down the corridor. Follow this corridor as far as it goes (you can’t go wrong!). Just before you arrive at some stairs, the Ursell Room is to your left.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee and some tasty treats will be available from 9:30 to 10am (and also during breaks) in the Hood Room (up the staircase to the left as you enter the front door). You will need to make your own arrangements for lunch but being located in central Oxford there are plenty of options nearby.
Worship
For those who wish, you’d be very welcome to join in with Morning Prayer which will be said at 9:15am in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. In addition, Choral Evensong (aided by a small vocal consort) will also be on offer at 4:15pm, which should be a wonderful way to end the day!
Can I just turn up on the day?
Please book in advance so we know to expect you. (And we don’t want to run out of biscuits…)
Follow up with a Reading Group?
This Study Day is ideal preparation for the Origen Reading Group starting on Monday 6th October 2025 and working through a number of excerpts from his surviving works together. You haven’t really “met” Origen until you’ve watched him at work expounding Scripture!