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

shall enjoy everlasting life, and the wicked shall suffer everlasting punishment; the inconsistency of this on the part of Celsus—chapter 51. The anxiety of Origen to bring all men to receive the whole system of Christian truth—chapter 52. The doubtful manner in which Celsus speaks of certain weighty matters, and his reluctance to set down any of them as false; the inconsistency of this with the manner in which he treats the doctrines of Christianity, which he regards with a hostile spirit—chapters 53, 54. Celsus asserts that Christians must make their choice between two alternatives; the nature of these: Answer—chapters 55–57. He seeks to degrade the souls of men to the worship of demons by referring to certain practices and beliefs prevalent among the Egyptians: Answer—chapters 58, 59. He admits that there is a dangerous tendency in demon-worship: Remarks—chapters 60–62. Yet he adds that the more just opinion is that demons desire and need nothing, but that they take pleasure in those who perform acts of piety toward them: Answer—chapters 63–65. Celsus admits that no worshipper of God should submit to anything base, but should encounter any torments or death rather than do anything unworthy of God; and yet he claims that to celebrate the sun, or the praises of Minerva the Roman goddess of wisdom, is only to render higher praise to God; the inconsistency of this—chapters 66, 67. He maintains that the Homeric saying must be observed: “Let there be one king, whom the son of crafty Saturn appointed reference to Agamemnon in the Iliad”; the sense in which this must be understood by Christians—chapter 68. The inconsistency on the part of Celsus, after what he has said, in asking whether God would fight for the Romans if they were to become converts to the worship of the Most High—chapters 69, 70. Further misrepresentations of Celsus pointed out—chapter 71. The time will come when the Word referring to Christ as the Logos will change every soul into His own perfections—chapter 72. Celsus enjoins us to help the king with all our might, and, if required, to fight under him or lead an army along with him: Answer—chapter 73. Also, to take office in the government of the country if necessary for the maintenance of the laws and the support of religion: Answer—chapter 75. Conclusion, in which Origen mentions that Celsus had announced his intention of writing a second treatise, which Origen requests Ambrose a wealthy patron of Origen to send him if he should have carried his intentions into execution.