Origen: On First Principles

On First Principles by Origen of Alexandria, written around 220-230 AD, is one of the most important and contentious works of early Christianity. It provoked controversy when written, provoked further debate when translated into Latin by Rufinus in the fourth century, and was the subject, together with its author, of condemnation in the sixth century. As a result, the work no longer survives intact in the original Greek. We only have the complete work in the Latin translation of Rufinus,

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1: Origen and his On First Principles I: Origen in Alexandria II: On First Principles 2: The structure of On First Principles I: The Two Cycles II: The Division into Chapters III: Theology and Economy IV: The Apostolic and the Ecclesiastical Preaching V: Scripture, Book Four, and the Purpose of On First Principles VI: Conclusion and the Context of On First Principles 3: Theology I: An Eternal Creation? II: The 'Foundation' of the World 4: Economy I: Incarnation II: The 'Pre-existence' and Incarnation of Christ 5: 'In My End is My Beginning' Text and Translation Origen, On First Principles Manuscripts and Other Sources, Abbreviations and Sigla 1: Rufinus' Translation I: Manuscripts II: Insalest Witnesses III: Editiocs 2: The Philocalia I: Manuscripts II: Editions 3: Abbreviations and Sigla Rufinus' Preface Preface Part I: Theology I: The Apostolic Preaching II: The Church's Preaching Part II: Economy I: The Apostolic Praching II: The Church's Preaching Part III: The Inspired Scripture Recapitulation Appendix I Chapter Titles in the Latin Manuscripts Appendix II Koetschau's Fragments Bibliography Index of Ancient Sources Index of Modern Authors Cited

About the Author :
John Behr is the Dean of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary and Professor of Patristics and Metropolitan Kallistos Chair in Orthodox Theology at Vrije Universiteit. His previous publications include John the Theologian and his Paschal Gospel: A Prologue to Theology (2019), Asceticism and Anthropology in Irenaeus and Clement (2000), The Case Against Diodore and Theodore: Texts and Their Contexts (2011), and Irenaeus of Lyons: Identifying Christianity (2013). He is also the co-editor of The Role of Life in Death: A Multidisciplinary Examination of Issues pertaining to Life and Death (Wipf and Stock, 2015; with C. Cunningham).

Review :
Behr's translation is literal without being wooden or cumbersome. In keeping with the original languages, some sentences are long, but they are readable. Some detailed footnotes remain to guide readers.