Celsus
Encyclopedia
Celsus was a 2nd century Greek
philosopher
and opponent of Early Christianity
. He is known for his literary work, The True Word
(Account, Doctrine or Discourse) , written about by Origen
. This work, c. 177 is the earliest known comprehensive attack on Christianity
.
According to Origen, Celsus was the author of an anti-Christian work titled The True Word. This work was lost, but we have Origen's account of it in his writings. It was during the reign of Philip the Arab
that Origen received this work for rebuttal. Origen's refutation of The True Word contained its text, interwoven with Origen's replies. Origen's work has survived and thereby preserved Celsus' work with it.
Celsus seems to have been interested in Ancient Egyptian religion, and he seemed to know of Jewish logos-theology
, both of which suggest The True Word was composed in Alexandria. Celsus wrote at a time when Christianity was being actively persecuted and when there seems to have been more than one emperor.
As an anti-Christian Greek philosopher, Celsus mounted an attack on Christianity. Celsus wrote that Jesus's father was a Roman soldier named Pantera
. The views of Celsus drew responses from Origen
who considered it a fabricated story. Raymond E. Brown
states that the story of Pantera is a fanciful explanation of the birth of Jesus which includes very little historical evidence - Brown's analysis does not presuppose the "virgin birth" theory, but cites the lack of historical evidence for Celsus' assertion.
Origen wrote in 248, it was at this point that Origen brought to light again a book written in the days of Marcus Aurelius but still in circulation. Sometimes quoting, sometimes paraphrasing, sometimes merely referring, Origen reproduces and replies to Celsus' arguments. Since accuracy was essential to his refutation of The True Word, most scholars agree that Origen is a reliable source for what Celsus said.
Celsus shows himself familiar with the story of Jewish origins. Conceding that Christians are not without success in business (infructuosi in negotiis), he wants them to be good citizens, to retain their own belief but conform to the state religion. It is an earnest and striking appeal on behalf of the Empire, and shows the terms offered to the Christian sects, as well as the importance of the various sects at the time. It is not known how many were Christians at the time of Celsus but as a comparison the estimation of Wilken of the Jewish population of the empire to have been about 10 % may be quoted. The Christians were certainly fewer. It is unlikely their influence was greater than what the physical evidence reveals throughout AD 100-400.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
philosopher
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and opponent of Early Christianity
Early Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
. He is known for his literary work, The True Word
The True Word
The True Word is a treatise in which Celsus addressed many principal points of Early Christianity and refuted or argued against their validity...
(Account, Doctrine or Discourse) , written about by Origen
Origen
Origen , or Origen Adamantius, 184/5–253/4, was an early Christian Alexandrian scholar and theologian, and one of the most distinguished writers of the early Church. As early as the fourth century, his orthodoxy was suspect, in part because he believed in the pre-existence of souls...
. This work, c. 177 is the earliest known comprehensive attack on Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
.
According to Origen, Celsus was the author of an anti-Christian work titled The True Word. This work was lost, but we have Origen's account of it in his writings. It was during the reign of Philip the Arab
Philip the Arab
Philip the Arab , also known as Philip or Philippus Arabs, was Roman Emperor from 244 to 249. He came from Syria, and rose to become a major figure in the Roman Empire. He achieved power after the death of Gordian III, quickly negotiating peace with the Sassanid Empire...
that Origen received this work for rebuttal. Origen's refutation of The True Word contained its text, interwoven with Origen's replies. Origen's work has survived and thereby preserved Celsus' work with it.
Celsus seems to have been interested in Ancient Egyptian religion, and he seemed to know of Jewish logos-theology
Hellenistic Judaism
Hellenistic Judaism was a movement which existed in the Jewish diaspora that sought to establish a Hebraic-Jewish religious tradition within the culture and language of Hellenism...
, both of which suggest The True Word was composed in Alexandria. Celsus wrote at a time when Christianity was being actively persecuted and when there seems to have been more than one emperor.
As an anti-Christian Greek philosopher, Celsus mounted an attack on Christianity. Celsus wrote that Jesus's father was a Roman soldier named Pantera
Tiberius Iulius Abdes Pantera
Tiberius Iulius Abdes Pantera was a Roman solder whose tombstone was found in Bingerbrück, Germany in 1859.Historically, the name Pantera is not an unusual name and had been in use among Roman soldiers in the second century....
. The views of Celsus drew responses from Origen
Origen
Origen , or Origen Adamantius, 184/5–253/4, was an early Christian Alexandrian scholar and theologian, and one of the most distinguished writers of the early Church. As early as the fourth century, his orthodoxy was suspect, in part because he believed in the pre-existence of souls...
who considered it a fabricated story. Raymond E. Brown
Raymond E. Brown
The Reverend Raymond Edward Brown, S.S. , was an American Roman Catholic priest, a member of the Sulpician Fathers and a major Biblical scholar of his era...
states that the story of Pantera is a fanciful explanation of the birth of Jesus which includes very little historical evidence - Brown's analysis does not presuppose the "virgin birth" theory, but cites the lack of historical evidence for Celsus' assertion.
Origen wrote in 248, it was at this point that Origen brought to light again a book written in the days of Marcus Aurelius but still in circulation. Sometimes quoting, sometimes paraphrasing, sometimes merely referring, Origen reproduces and replies to Celsus' arguments. Since accuracy was essential to his refutation of The True Word, most scholars agree that Origen is a reliable source for what Celsus said.
Celsus shows himself familiar with the story of Jewish origins. Conceding that Christians are not without success in business (infructuosi in negotiis), he wants them to be good citizens, to retain their own belief but conform to the state religion. It is an earnest and striking appeal on behalf of the Empire, and shows the terms offered to the Christian sects, as well as the importance of the various sects at the time. It is not known how many were Christians at the time of Celsus but as a comparison the estimation of Wilken of the Jewish population of the empire to have been about 10 % may be quoted. The Christians were certainly fewer. It is unlikely their influence was greater than what the physical evidence reveals throughout AD 100-400.