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Origen of Alexandria (c. 185-254 A.D.)
Origen was the greatest humanist theologian of the ancient Church. His deep and abiding faith, coupled with his formidable intellect, enabled him to elaborate a complex speculative theology that inspired Christians for decades, and even centuries, after his death. His towering achievement continues to offer an ethical and intellectual challenge to contemporary Christians. The basis of Origen’s theology was his noble notion of the ultimate salvation of all – including the devil himself! Such an unabashed love of humanity, and tolerance of human sin, qualify Origen as a great saint and confessor of the Christian Faith, in spite of his condemnation by later Oecumenical Councils.
Selected Works of Origen:
De Principiis (On First Principles)
Contra Celsum (Against Celsus)
Commentary on the Gospel of John
Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew
Further Reading:
Moore, Edward, "Origen of Alexandria and apokatastasis: Some Notes on the Development of a Noble Notion," in Quodlibet: Online Journal of Christian Theology and Philosophy, vol. 5, no. 1 (January 2003): http://www.quodlibet.net/moore-origen.shtml
Steenberg, Matthew, "Origen and the Final Restoration: A Question of Heresy":
http://www.monachos.net/patristics/origen_apokatastasis.shtml
Also See in Theandros:
Spring 2004 - Eschatology and final restoration (apokatastasis) in Origen, Gregory of Nyssa and Maximos the Confessor - Andreas Andreopoulos
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