Ante-Nicene Christian Library, Vol. 23: Origen Contra Celsum

Celsus brings against Christians, and not those derived from writers on philosophy—chap. i. Explanation of the reasons which led the writers of Scripture to adopt a simple style of address—chap. ii. Quotation from Plato regarding the “chief good,” and remarks upon it—chap. iii. Inconsistent conduct of those who can so express themselves is pointed out—chap. iv. Comparison of the Platonic phraseology, regarding the kindling of a light in the soul, with the language of Scripture—chap. v. Examination of the question whether Plato was acquainted with doctrines more profound than those contained in his writings, and a demonstration of the fact that the prophets did know of greater things than any in Scripture, but did not commit them to writing—chaps. vi.–x. Celsus inquires whether, amid the perplexity arising from the existence of different Christs, men are to cast the dice to divine which of them they ought to follow? Answer—chap. xi. Perversion of the language of Paul regarding wisdom corrected—chaps. xii., xiii. Examination of Celsus' charge that Christians are uninstructed, servile, and ignorant—chap. xiv. Sneer of Celsus at the humility of Christians answered—chap. xv. Celsus charges Jesus with having perverted the language of Plato in His saying regarding the impossibility of a rich man’s entering the kingdom of heaven: Answer—chap. xvi. Comparison of some points of Scripture doctrine with statements of Plato—chaps. xvii., xviii. Charge of Celsus that Christians have misunderstood the language of Plato in boasting of a “super-celestial” God: Answer—chap. xix. Explanation of certain terms referring to heaven—chaps. xx., xxi. Assertion of Celsus, that the Persian mysteries of Mithras contain many obscure allusions to those heavenly things mentioned in the Christian writings; absurdity of his statements—chaps. xxii., xxiii. Celsus refers to a certain diagram, the statements regarding which he appears to have borrowed from the sect of the Ophites; which statements, however, are of no credibility—chap. xxiv. Description of said diagram, and explanation of the names inscribed in it—chaps. xxv., xxvi. Certain statements of Celsus regarding the “seal” examined—chap. xxvii. Celsus asserts that Christians term the Creator an “accursed” divinity, and asks what could be more foolish or insane than such senseless wisdom? Examination of these statements—chaps. xxviii., xxix. Celsus returns to the subject of the seven ruling demons, and makes reference to the diagram—chap. xxx. Quotations illustrating the manner of invoking said demons—chap. xxxi. Remarks on the procedure of Celsus—chap. xxxii. Further statements of Celsus—chap. xxxiii. Continuation of statements of Celsus, to the effect that Christians heap together one thing after another—discourses of prophets, circles upon circles, effluents from an earthly church, and from circumcision; and a power flowing from one Prunicos, a virgin and living soul; and a heaven slain in order to live, etc. etc.—chap. xxxiv.