Exploring the Other "Against Celsus" Books in Third Century Christian Antiquity

In the third century, the Christian world was rife with intellectual debate and theological defense against critics of the faith. Among the prominent critics was Celsus, a Greek philosopher who penned a scathing critique of Christianity in his work The True Word. The Christian response to Celsus was not limited to the well-known rebuttal by Origen, Contra Celsum, but included works by other notable Christian scholars of the time. Jerome, a prominent early Christian scholar, provides insight into this broader intellectual effort in his correspondence.

Jerome’s Account of Responses to Celsus

In his writings, Jerome mentions that several prominent Christian thinkers wrote extensive works against Celsus and Porphyry, another fierce critic of Christianity:

"Origenes, Methodius, Eusebius, Apollinaris, multis versuum millibus scribunt adversus Celsum et Porphyrium."

"Origen, Methodius, Eusebius, Apollinaris wrote many thousands of verses against Celsus and Porphyry."

This statement reveals that Origen was not alone in his endeavor to defend Christianity against the critiques of Celsus. Other significant figures such as Methodius, Eusebius, and Apollinaris also engaged in this intellectual defense, contributing to a robust body of apologetic literature.

The Context of Jerome’s Reference

Jerome’s reference to these writings highlights the broader context of third-century Christian apologetics. While Origen’s Contra Celsum is the most famous and comprehensive response, Jerome's mention of other works indicates a collective effort among early Christian scholars to address the challenges posed by critics like Celsus and Porphyry.

James N. Carleton Paget, in his work The Jew of Celsus and Adversus Judaeos, notes Jerome's comparison of Origen’s response to those of Methodius, Eusebius, and Apollinaris against Porphyry. This comparison underscores the high regard in which Origen’s work was held, even among other significant apologetic efforts.

Methodius, Eusebius, and Apollinaris

While specific details of Methodius, Eusebius, and Apollinaris’s works against Celsus are not as well-documented as Origen’s Contra Celsum, their contributions were significant enough to be noted by Jerome. Here is a brief look at these figures:

1. Methodius: Known for his theological and philosophical writings, Methodius of Olympus engaged deeply with issues of creation, resurrection, and the defense of Christian doctrine. His works often addressed the intellectual and philosophical challenges posed by pagan critics.

2. Eusebius: Eusebius of Caesarea, a historian and bishop, is renowned for his Ecclesiastical History, which documents the early Christian Church. His apologetic works also include defenses against various critics of Christianity, contributing to the intellectual foundation of Christian apologetics.

3. Apollinaris: Apollinaris of Laodicea was known for his robust defense of Christianity and his opposition to Arianism. His apologetic efforts included addressing the critiques of philosophers like Porphyry, and by extension, critics like Celsus.

The Impact of These Works

The collective effort of these early Christian scholars in defending the faith against critics like Celsus and Porphyry had a significant impact on the development of Christian apologetics. These works provided early Christians with intellectual tools to defend their beliefs and engage with the philosophical and theological challenges of their time.

Conclusion

Jerome’s account of the multiple responses to Celsus and Porphyry highlights a rich tradition of intellectual defense in early Christianity. While Origen’s Contra Celsum remains the most well-known, the contributions of Methodius, Eusebius, and Apollinaris underscore the collective effort of early Christian scholars to articulate and defend their faith against formidable critics. This broader context enriches our understanding of early Christian apologetics and the robust intellectual environment in which it developed.