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Monday, July 19, 2010

What did Origen write about "Wisdom of Solomon" (in Fifth Book of Contra Celsum)?

This is from the magisterial translation and editing of Henry Chadwick (Book V, section 29: pages 286-7:Cambridge Univ. Press text): "In the book entitled the Wisdom of Solomon, speaking of wisdom and the people who lived at the time of the confusion of languages, when the division of the nations of earth took place, the following is said of wisdom: 'Moreover, when nations consenting together in wickedness had been confounded, she knew the righteous man and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong when his heart yearned toward his child' (Chapter 10, verse 5).  .  . We have much of a mysterious nature to say about this, to which the quotation applies ('it is good to hide the mystery of a king' : Tobit 12:7).  For we do not want the truth about the way in which souls became bound to a body (though not by reincarnation) to be cast before an uneducated audience, nor that holy things should be given to the dogs, nor that pearls be cast before swine (Matt. 7:6).  For that would be impious, as it implies a betrayal of the secret oracles of the wisdom of God. . .'Wisdom will not enter into a soul that devises evil, nor dwell in a body that is held in pledge by sin. (Wisdom 7:26)'  It is enough to give an account of the doctrines which are obscurely set forth under the guise of a story by following the course of it, in order that those who have the ability may work out the meaning of the passage for themselves"

From CONTRA CELSUM

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